sejauh

Insofar as or as Far as

Level 5

Sejauh is used to set boundaries on a statement. It can refer to physical distance (as far as 5km) or metaphorical scope (as far as I know).

How It Works

The pattern sejauh is a versatile tool for defining parameters and functions as a marker for a subordinate clause of extent (klausa keterangan pancangan). It is used in five main ways:

  • Equative Comparison: Its most basic function is to show that two things are at the same distance (e.g., Rumah A sejauh rumah B).
  • Limitation of Knowledge: Used with yang to limit a claim. Sejauh yang saya tahu (As far as I know) is often interchangeable with setakat yang saya tahu.
  • Degree or Extent: Paired with mana to ask about depth. In formal writing, the suffix -kah must be added (e.g., Sejauh manakah...).
  • Physical Distance: Indicates the reach of an action, such as sejauh 10 kilometer.
  • Idiomatic Reduplication: The reduplicated form sejauh-jauh means 'no matter how far' or 'at the very furthest,' frequently appearing in Malay proverbs to denote an ultimate limit.

Examples (6)

  1. Rumah saya sejauh rumahnya dari sekolah.

    My house is as far as his house from the school.

    Word by Word: House I as-far house-his from school.

    This demonstrates the basic equative comparison, where 'sejauh' indicates that two distances are equal.

  2. Sejauh yang saya tahu, dia belum menghantar laporan itu.

    As far as I know, he hasn't sent the report yet.

    Word by Word: As far that I know, he not yet send report that.

    In this context, 'sejauh' marks a subordinate clause of extent, limiting the statement to the speaker's current knowledge.

  3. Sejauh manakah penglibatan pihak ketiga dalam projek ini?

    To what extent is the involvement of third parties in this project?

    Word by Word: As far where-kah involvement side third in project this?

    In formal interrogative sentences, the suffix -kah is attached to 'sejauh mana' to form 'sejauh manakah'.

  4. Sejauh-jauh burung terbang, akhirnya hinggap di dahan juga.

    No matter how far a bird flies, it eventually perches on a branch too.

    Word by Word: As far-far bird fly, finally perch at branch also.

    The reduplicated form 'sejauh-jauh' means 'no matter how far' or 'at the very furthest', often used in proverbs.

  5. Dia sanggup berjalan sejauh lima kilometer untuk ke sekolah.

    He is willing to walk as far as five kilometers to go to school.

    Word by Word: He willing walk as far five kilometer for to school.

    In this context, 'sejauh' indicates a specific physical distance.

  6. Sejauh ini, segalanya berjalan dengan lancar.

    So far, everything is going smoothly.

    Word by Word: As far this, everything walk with smooth.

    'Sejauh ini' is a common fixed expression meaning 'so far' or 'up to this point'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'sejauh' to mean 'merely' or 'only'.

    Saya tahu sejauh namanya sahaja.
    Saya tahu setakat namanya sahaja.

    'Sejauh' refers to extent or distance. To say 'only' or 'merely up to a point', use 'setakat' instead.

  • Confusing 'sejauh' with 'selama' for time duration.

    Saya menunggu sejauh dua jam.
    Saya menunggu selama dua jam.

    'Sejauh' is for distance or scope, while 'selama' is used for duration of time.

How It Connects

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

sejauhLevel 5Insofar as or as Far as

Learn This First

To understand 'sejauh', learners first need to grasp the equative prefix 'se-', which indicates degree or extent. Since 'sejauh' often functions as a subordinating conjunction to limit the scope of a statement, familiarity with clause-linking particles like 'bahawa' is also necessary.

Words in This Pattern

jauhse-