boleh jadi
It May Be That
Boleh jadi is a formal idiomatic phrase used to indicate that something is possible based on evidence or logic. It is a more literary alternative to mungkin and is most frequently used at the start of a sentence to frame an entire statement as a possibility.
How It Works
In Malay grammar, boleh jadi functions as a modal adverb used to introduce a tentative statement or a logical deduction. It is semantically equivalent to mungkin in terms of the degree of probability.
1. Position and Clarity:
While boleh jadi can appear after a subject, it is most commonly placed at the beginning of a sentence. This sentence-initial position is preferred to avoid ambiguity. For example, in the sentence Dia boleh jadi sakit, the phrase could be interpreted literally as 'He can become sick' (from the verb jadi meaning 'to become'). Placing it at the start—Boleh jadi dia sakit—clearly marks the meaning as 'It may be that he is sick.'
2. Register and Synonyms:
In addition to the common mungkin, boleh jadi and barangkali are used as formal or literary alternatives. While mungkin is the standard choice for daily conversation, boleh jadi is frequently found in journalism and literature to provide variety and a more formal tone.
3. Fixed Form:
As a modal expression, boleh jadi is a fixed phrase. It does not take active prefixes like meN-. If the prefix is added (e.g., menjadi), the phrase loses its modal sense of 'maybe' and reverts to its literal meaning of 'becoming' or 'turning into' something.
Examples (4)
- Boleh jadi dia terlupa akan janji kita.
It may be that he forgot our promise.
Word by Word: Can happen he forget about promise our.
Here, 'boleh jadi' acts as a sentence starter to express a possible reason for someone's absence.
- Boleh jadi hujan akan turun petang nanti melihatkan awan yang gelap itu.
It is possible that it will rain later this afternoon, seeing those dark clouds.
Word by Word: Can happen rain will descend afternoon later seeing cloud that dark that.
This demonstrates a logical deduction based on visual evidence (dark clouds).
- Perkara itu boleh jadi benar, namun kita perlu menyiasatnya dahulu.
That matter might be true, but we need to investigate it first.
Word by Word: Matter that can happen true, however we need investigate-it first.
In this example, 'boleh jadi' is placed after the subject 'Perkara itu' to qualify the adjective 'benar' (true).
- Boleh jadi mereka tersesat di dalam hutan.
It's possible they got lost in the forest.
Word by Word: Can happen they lost in inside forest.
A common use of the phrase to offer a tentative explanation for a situation.
Common Mistakes
'Dia boleh jadi seorang doktor yang hebat' is correct, but it is usually read as 'He may be a great doctor'.
Different MeaningDia boleh jadi seorang doktor yang hebat.Dia boleh menjadi seorang doktor yang hebat.'Boleh jadi' usually means 'maybe'. To say clearly that he has the ability to become a great doctor, use 'boleh menjadi'.
Redundancy by combining 'mungkin' and 'boleh jadi'.
Mungkin boleh jadi dia tidak datang hari ini.Boleh jadi dia tidak datang hari ini.Both words mean 'maybe'. Using them together is considered 'kelewahan' (redundancy) in formal Malay.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The pattern 'boleh jadi' is a compound expression formed from 'boleh' (can/may) and 'jadi' (to happen/become). To understand it, learners need to be familiar with the individual meanings of these two words and how they combine to function as a sentential adverb meaning 'it may be that' or 'possibly'.
- boleh + VerbPermission and Practical Possibility with Boleh
The word 'boleh' provides the core sense of possibility or permission used in this compound expression.
Level 1 - jadiResult or Transition with Jadi
The word 'jadi' (to become/happen) is the second component of the phrase, contributing to the meaning of a situation occurring.
Level 1 - mungkinPossibility with Mungkin
Understanding basic markers of possibility like 'mungkin' provides the functional context for using 'boleh jadi' as a more formal or literary alternative.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- barangkaliTentative Possibility
A more formal and literary synonym for 'perhaps', often implying a higher degree of uncertainty.
Level 3 - nampaknyaApparently with Nampaknya
Means 'apparently' or 'it seems'; like 'boleh jadi', it is used to make deductions based on observation.
Level 5 - agaknyaTentative Agaknya
A more conversational way to say 'presumably' or 'I guess', often placed at the end of a sentence.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
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