tidak sepenuhnya
Not Entirely
Use tidak sepenuhnya to provide nuance in formal or analytical Malay. It rejects the absolute totality of a statement while acknowledging that it might be partially valid.
How It Works
The expression tidak sepenuhnya is composed of the negation tidak and the adverb sepenuhnya (from penuh meaning 'full').
1. Usage with Predicates:
It most commonly modifies verbs and adjectives. When placed before these words, it scales back the intensity of the statement. For example, tidak sepenuhnya benar means 'not entirely true'—implying there is some truth, but also some error.
2. Formal Register:
While understood in casual speech, this pattern is most frequent in 'analytical prose' such as essays, news reports, and formal meetings. It allows the speaker to avoid 'black-and-white' thinking and present a more balanced perspective.
3. Placement:
In formal writing, it is standard to place tidak sepenuhnya immediately before the word it modifies. While placing it at the end of a sentence (e.g., ...tidak benar sepenuhnya) occurs in conversation, the pre-modifier position is preferred for clarity in Level 5 proficiency.
4. Nuance vs. Quantity:
It is important to distinguish this from tidak seluruhnya. Use sepenuhnya for intensity, degree, or depth (how 'full' a state is). Use seluruhnya when referring to the breadth or quantity of a group (the 'whole' of a set).
Examples (4)
- Keputusan kajian ini tidak sepenuhnya menyokong hipotesis asal.
The results of this study do not entirely support the original hypothesis.
Word by Word: Decision study this not entirely support hypothesis original.
In this academic context, the negation suggests that while some data might align with the hypothesis, the overall conclusion does not.
- Pandangan beliau tidak sepenuhnya salah.
His view is not entirely wrong.
Word by Word: View he/she (respectful) not entirely wrong.
This uses the pattern with an adjective to concede that the person has a point, even if the speaker disagrees with the main conclusion.
- Saya tidak sepenuhnya memahami prosedur baharu itu.
I do not fully understand that new procedure.
Word by Word: I not entirely understand procedure new that.
Here, it modifies a verb to indicate a partial level of comprehension.
- Walaupun tertuduh mengaku bersalah, beliau tidak sepenuhnya bertanggungjawab.
Although the accused pleaded guilty, he is not entirely responsible.
Word by Word: Although accused admit guilty, he (respectful) not entirely responsible.
A common legal usage to indicate shared responsibility or mitigating circumstances.
Common Mistakes
Using 'tidak' instead of 'bukan' with nouns.
Ini tidak sepenuhnya kesalahan saya.Ini bukan sepenuhnya kesalahan saya.Strictly speaking, bukan should be used to negate nouns (like 'kesalahan' / mistake). Use 'tidak' for verbs and adjectives.
Confusing 'sepenuhnya' with 'seluruhnya'.
Ahli jawatankuasa tidak sepenuhnya hadir.Ahli jawatankuasa tidak seluruhnya hadir.Use 'seluruhnya' when referring to the total number of people or items in a group. Use 'sepenuhnya' for the degree of a state or action.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'tidak sepenuhnya', a learner must first be familiar with basic negation using 'tidak'. They also need to understand how Malay expresses degrees of completeness or quantity to grasp how this phrase narrows the scope of a rejection in formal or analytical contexts.
- tidakNegating Verbs and Adjectives with Tidak
The pattern uses 'tidak' as the primary negator for the phrase.
Level 1 - semuaAll with Semua
The word 'sepenuhnya' is derived from the root 'penuh' (full), but conceptually functions as a quantifier of degree similar to 'semua' (all) in its scope-limiting role.
Level 2 - ke-...-an (konsep abstrak)Abstract Qualities with Ke-...-an
Understanding how Malay creates abstract nouns and degrees of quality helps in processing the adverbial form 'sepenuhnya' (entirely/fully).
Level 5
Related Patterns
- bukanNegating Nouns with Bukan
Used instead of 'tidak' when the 'not entirely' nuance applies to a noun or identity.
Level 1 - belum tentuNot Necessarily
Another qualifying negation meaning 'not necessarily,' often used in similar analytical contexts.
Level 5 - tidak selaluNot Always
Means 'not always,' providing a temporal nuance rather than a degree-based one.
Level 5 - agak + AdjectiveModerate Degree with Agak
While 'tidak sepenuhnya' negates a full state, 'agak' asserts a moderate degree of a state.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice tidak sepenuhnya in Bubblegum
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