seterusnya

In Turn

Level 6

Seterusnya is a formal transition word meaning 'next,' 'subsequently,' or 'and so on.' It is primarily used to mark the sequence of events in a process or to indicate temporal continuity.

How It Works

At an advanced level, seterusnya serves four primary functions in formal discourse:

1. Sequential Progression: Used to move to the next item in a list or step in a procedure (e.g., 'Langkah pertama... Seterusnya...').
2. Chain of Events: Used to show how one event follows another in a systematic chain, though it marks the sequence rather than the direct cause.
3. Temporal Continuity: It can mean 'from then on' or 'henceforth,' indicating that a state or action continues into the future.
4. Ellipsis (Et cetera): The phrase dan seterusnya is the formal equivalent of 'and so on' or 'etc.', used to indicate that a list continues in the same manner.

Morphologically, it consists of the prefix se- (representing unity/one), the root terus (straight/continue), and the suffix -nya. In casual speech, speakers often prefer lalu or the colloquial lepas tu, making seterusnya a marker of high-register proficiency.

Examples (4)

Sila masukkan butiran peribadi anda. Seterusnya, klik butang 'Hantar'.
Please enter your personal details. Next, click the 'Submit' button.
Word by Word: Please enter details personal you. Next, click button 'Submit'.
Here, it marks a clear sequential step in a set of instructions.
Kenaikan kos bahan api akan menjejaskan harga barang dan seterusnya membebankan pengguna.
The increase in fuel costs will affect goods prices and in turn burden consumers.
Word by Word: Increase cost fuel will affect price goods and next burden consumer.
This demonstrates the 'logical consequence' function, where one event leads directly to the next.
Beliau memenangi pingat emas dan seterusnya memecahkan rekod kebangsaan.
He won the gold medal and subsequently broke the national record.
Word by Word: He win medal gold and next break record national.
In this narrative context, it shows a progression of achievements.
Orang seterusnya, sila masuk ke bilik temu duga.
Next person, please enter the interview room.
Word by Word: Person next, please enter to room interview.
Used as an adjective here to describe the 'following' person in a queue.

Common Mistakes

Using 'seterusnya' for 'further information' instead of 'selanjutnya'.
Sila hubungi kami untuk maklumat seterusnya.
Sila hubungi kami untuk maklumat selanjutnya.
'Seterusnya' refers to the order of events (1st, 2nd, 3rd), while 'selanjutnya' refers to depth or additional detail (furthermore).
Using it in casual conversation where it sounds too stiff.
Saya makan, seterusnya saya tidur.
Saya makan, lepas tu saya tidur.
In casual speech, 'seterusnya' sounds robotic. Use 'lepas tu' or 'kemudian' for simple daily sequences.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

seterusnyaLevel 6In Turn

Learn This First

Seterusnya is a high-level logical connector used to link stages in an argument or process. To use it effectively, learners should already be familiar with basic sequential markers (lalu) and formal result markers (maka) to understand how Malay structures logical flow in formal registers.

jadiResult or Transition with Jadi
'Jadi' is a more common, less formal way to express a result or transition, while 'seterusnya' is reserved for formal logical progression.
Level 1

Words in This Pattern