tidak se-...
Negative Equality
The pattern tidak se- + [adjective] is used to compare two things and state that the first one does not reach the same level of a quality as the second. It is the negative version of the se- equative pattern.
How It Works
The construction tidak se- is a standard way to express the equative degree in the negative. Unlike comparative structures like kurang ... daripada (less ... than), tidak se- specifically highlights the failure to meet a benchmark.
1. Morphology:
The prefix se- is attached directly to the adjective root. It does not change its form based on the starting letter of the root (e.g., seindah, setinggi, sepandai).
2. Sentence Structure:
The pattern usually follows this order:
Subject + tidak se- + Adjective + Benchmark (Noun/Pronoun).
Example: Ali tidak setinggi Ahmad. (Ali is not as tall as Ahmad).
3. Register:
- Formal: Use tidak se-.
- Colloquial: Use tak se-.
4. Usage Note:
- If you use this pattern without a following noun, you must usually add a demonstrative like itu or ini to provide context (e.g., tidak sepandai itu - not that clever).
- When the benchmark is a pronoun, it is standard to use the full form (e.g., dia, mereka) rather than a clitic form like -nya. For example, say tidak sekuat dia rather than tidak sekuatnya.
Examples (4)
- Aminah tidak sepandai abangnya.
Aminah is not as clever as her brother.
Word by Word: Aminah not as-clever brother-her.
Here, 'sepandai' (as clever as) is negated by 'tidak' to show Aminah's cleverness doesn't match her brother's.
- Rumah baharu itu tidak seluas rumah lama kami.
That new house is not as spacious as our old house.
Word by Word: House new that not as-spacious house old our.
This compares the area (luas) of two houses, stating the new one is smaller in scale.
- Masakan saya tak selazat masakan ibu.
My cooking is not as delicious as mother's cooking.
Word by Word: Cooking my not as-delicious cooking mother.
Uses the colloquial 'tak' instead of 'tidak', common in daily conversation.
- Kereta ini tidak selaju kereta lumba itu.
This car is not as fast as that racing car.
Word by Word: Car this not as-fast car race that.
Compares the speed (laju) of a normal car against a racing car.
Common Mistakes
Using 'bukan' instead of 'tidak'.
Baju ini bukan secantik baju itu.Baju ini tidak secantik baju itu.Learners often use bukan because they think the comparison is a noun phrase. However, because 'se-' attaches to an adjective, you must use tidak.
Adding 'daripada' (than) to the comparison.
Dia tidak setinggi daripada saya.Dia tidak setinggi saya.Unlike lebih or kurang, the 'se-' prefix already implies the comparison. Adding 'daripada' is redundant and ungrammatical.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'tidak se-...', you first need to know how to form basic equality using the 'se-' prefix. You also need to understand how 'tidak' is used to negate adjectives and how 'yang' functions to link the comparison to a specific noun or clause.
- tidakNegating Verbs and Adjectives with Tidak
The pattern uses 'tidak' to negate the equality, so understanding basic negation with 'tidak' is essential.
Level 1 - se-As ... as with Se-
The 'se-' prefix is the core marker for equality (meaning 'as... as'); this pattern is the negative form of that construction.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- kurang ... daripadaLower Degree with Kurang
A similar way to express a lower degree ('less than'), though 'tidak se-' specifically denies equality.
Level 2 - sama ... denganEquality with Sama ... Dengan
Another way to express equality ('the same as'), often used for identity rather than just adjective degree.
Level 2 - tidak / takTidak and Tak
Explains the difference between using 'tidak' (formal) and 'tak' (informal) in this pattern.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice tidak se-... in Bubblegum
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