kian ... kian ...

Literary Linked Change

Level 6

kian ... kian ... is the formal, literary equivalent of semakin ... semakin .... It links two clauses to show that as one thing increases, another increases proportionally.

How It Works

The structure kian [A] kian [B] functions as a correlative conjunction. It is most commonly used with:

  • Adjectives: To show a change in quality (e.g., kian lama - the longer it goes on).
  • Process Verbs: Verbs that imply growth or change, often with the meN- or ber- prefixes (e.g., kian meningkat - increasingly rising).
  • Time Phrases: Phrases like kian hari (day by day) to show temporal progression.

While often used in pairs, kian can also function as a standalone kata penguat hadapan (front intensifier) modifying a single verb or adjective to indicate 'increasingly' (e.g., Cahaya itu kian malap - The light is increasingly dim). In formal writing, it is important to maintain symmetry in paired structures; do not mix kian with semakin in the same sentence. Because kian already implies an increasing degree, adding lebih is redundant.

Examples (4)

  1. Kian lama kian banyak orang yang berkumpul di dataran itu.

    The longer it went on, the more people gathered in the square.

    Word by Word: Increasingly long increasingly many people who gather at square that.

    This uses 'kian lama' (the longer/more time passes) to trigger the second 'kian' describing the increase in people.

  2. Tubuh badan pesakit itu kian hari kian susut.

    The patient's body is getting thinner and thinner by the day.

    Word by Word: Body body patient that increasingly day increasingly thin.

    Here, 'kian hari' indicates a daily progression of the patient's condition.

  3. Penyediaan rumah untuk rakyat kian lama menjadi kian penting.

    The provision of housing for the people is becoming increasingly important over time.

    Word by Word: Provision house for people increasingly long become increasingly important.

    This demonstrates the pattern used with the adjective 'penting' (important) in a formal policy context.

  4. Cabaran ekonomi negara kian mencabar kian meruncing.

    The country's economic challenges are becoming more challenging and more acute.

    Word by Word: Challenge economy country increasingly challenging increasingly acute.

    Shows the pattern linking two descriptive states of a complex situation.

Common Mistakes

  • Mixing different registers of the 'the more... the more...' pattern.

    Kian lama semakin cerah masa depannya.
    Kian lama kian cerah masa depannya.

    In formal Malay, you should stay consistent within the pair. Do not mix 'kian' with 'semakin' or 'makin'.

  • Redundancy by adding 'lebih' (more) after 'kian'.

    Suaranya kian lebih merdu.
    Suaranya kian merdu.

    'Kian' already implies an increasing degree. Adding 'lebih' is repetitive and unnecessary.

How It Connects

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

kian ... kian ...Level 6Literary Linked Change

Learn This First

To understand 'kian ... kian ...', you first need to be familiar with the standard way of expressing correlated changes in Malay using 'semakin ... semakin ...'. Since this is a literary variant, you should also be comfortable with how adjectives function as predicates in Malay sentences.

Words in This Pattern

kian