dapat dikatakan bahawa
It Can Be Said That
Use dapat dikatakan bahawa in formal writing to say "It can be said that..." when presenting a conclusion derived from facts or research.
How It Works
The expression dapat dikatakan bahawa is a staple of Bahasa Melayu Tinggi (Standard/Formal Malay). It is used to signal that the statement following it is a logical deduction permitted by the evidence.
1. Morphological Breakdown:
- Dapat: Indicates possibility or capability derived from circumstances or data.
- Dikatakan: The passive form of kata (to say), creating the impersonal 'it is said' effect.
- Bahawa: A formal complementizer that introduces the subordinate clause containing the actual claim.
2. Register and Usage:
This pattern is almost exclusively found in academic journals, formal reports, and editorials. In casual conversation, speakers would typically use 'boleh kata' or 'boleh cakap' without the formal bahawa. Even in formal writing, bahawa can be left out.
3. Nuance of 'Dapat':
While boleh also means 'can,' boleh dikatakan is also standard and means almost the same. Dapat is a little more formal, because it suggests the evidence gives you the 'ability' to make the statement.
Examples (3)
- Berdasarkan data tersebut, dapat dikatakan bahawa tahap kesedaran masyarakat masih rendah.
Based on the data, it can be said that the level of public awareness is still low.
Word by Word: Based-on data that, can be-said that level awareness society still low.
This shows the pattern used to introduce a conclusion directly linked to evidence (the data).
- Oleh itu, dapat dikatakan bahawa penggunaan teknologi digital telah mengubah landskap pendidikan.
Therefore, it can be said that the use of digital technology has changed the educational landscape.
Word by Word: Therefore, can be-said that usage technology digital already change landscape education.
Here, the phrase acts as a transition to a logical deduction following a previous argument.
- Secara umumnya, dapat dikatakan bahawa dialek tersebut mempunyai pengaruh bahasa Jawa.
Generally, it can be said that the dialect has Javanese language influence.
Word by Word: In-general, can be-said that dialect that have influence language Javanese.
The phrase is used here to make a generalized analytical claim about linguistic influence.
Common Mistakes
Dropping 'bahawa' in very formal writing (a style choice, not an error).
Dapat dikatakan ia adalah satu kejayaan.Dapat dikatakan bahawa ia adalah satu kejayaan.'Bahawa' is common in formal writing, but it can be left out. The sentence is still correct without it; it just sounds a little less formal.
Thinking 'boleh dikatakan' is wrong in formal writing.
Boleh dikatakan bahawa kajian ini membuktikan...Dapat dikatakan bahawa kajian ini membuktikan...Both 'boleh dikatakan' and 'dapat dikatakan' are standard. 'Dapat' is a little more formal and is often chosen in research writing, but 'boleh' is not a mistake.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'dapat dikatakan bahawa', a learner needs to be familiar with the modal 'dapat' for possibility, the 'di-' prefix for creating passive verbs, and the conjunction 'bahawa' which functions like 'that' in English to introduce a statement.
- dapat + VerbAbility or Possibility with Dapat
The pattern uses 'dapat' to express the possibility or ability of the claim being made.
Level 1 - di-Basic Passive with Di-
The verb 'dikatakan' is the passive form of 'kata' (to say), which is essential for the impersonal 'it is said' construction.
Level 2 - bahawaContent Clauses with Bahawa
The conjunction 'bahawa' is required to introduce the content clause that follows the introductory frame.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- boleh + VerbPermission and Practical Possibility with Boleh
A related modal often confused with 'dapat' in this specific phrase, though 'boleh' is less formal.
Level 1 - secara + AdjectiveFormal Manner with Secara
Often used alongside this pattern (e.g., 'secara umumnya') to further qualify the claim being made.
Level 3 - makaFormal Result with Maka
A formal result marker that often precedes or works in tandem with analytical frames like this one.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice dapat dikatakan bahawa in Bubblegum
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