sejak

Since with Sejak

Level 3

Sejak (or the formal semenjak) means 'since'. It marks the beginning of a time period that continues until now.

How It Works

In Malay, sejak is the standard way to express the concept of 'since'. It establishes a temporal boundary for an event.

1. Usage with Noun Phrases
When followed by a specific time, date, or event, it acts as a preposition:

  • sejak tahun 2020 (since the year 2020)
  • sejak hari Isnin (since Monday)

2. Usage with Clauses
It can also link a full action to the main sentence, acting as a conjunction:

  • sejak dia berpindah (since he/she moved)

3. Synonyms: Semenjak and Sedari
Semenjak is a common synonym that is slightly more formal or emphatic. You may also encounter sedari in literature or fixed phrases like sedari kecil (since childhood). These are generally interchangeable with sejak in temporal contexts.

4. Sejak vs. Dari
While dari means 'from', sejak is specifically used for time to emphasize continuity. You cannot use sejak for physical distance.

5. Important: Temporal vs. Causal 'Since'
Unlike in English, sejak is strictly temporal. It cannot be used to mean 'because'. If you want to express a reason, you must use kerana or oleh sebab instead. For example, 'Since it is raining, I will stay' should be translated using kerana, not sejak.

Examples (4)

  1. Dia telah tinggal di Kuala Lumpur sejak tahun 2010.

    He has lived in Kuala Lumpur since 2010.

    Word by Word: He already live at Kuala Lumpur since year 2010.

    Here, 'sejak' is used as a preposition followed by a specific year.

  2. Sejak kami pindah ke bandar ini, kami lebih kerap makan di luar.

    Since we moved to this city, we eat out more often.

    Word by Word: Since we move to city this, we more frequent eat at outside.

    In this sentence, 'sejak' acts as a conjunction introducing a clause ('kami pindah').

  3. Semenjak kejadian itu, dia menjadi lebih pendiam.

    Since that incident, he has become more quiet.

    Word by Word: Since incident that, he become more quiet.

    Using the variant 'semenjak' for emphasis regarding a specific past event.

  4. Saya tidak berjumpa dengannya sejak minggu lepas.

    I haven't met him since last week.

    Word by Word: I not meet with-him since week last.

    A common way to describe a state of absence continuing from a point in time.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'sejak' for duration instead of 'selama'.

    Saya tinggal di sini sejak tiga tahun.
    Saya tinggal di sini selama tiga tahun.

    'Sejak' marks the start point (since), while 'selama' marks the total duration (for/during).

  • Redundancy by using 'sejak dari'.

    Dia menunggu sejak dari pagi.
    Dia menunggu sejak pagi.

    In formal Malay, 'sejak dari' is considered redundant (kelewahan) because both words indicate a starting point. Use one or the other.

How It Connects

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

sejakLevel 3Since with Sejak

Learn This First

To understand 'sejak' (since), learners should be familiar with basic time concepts and the perfective aspect (sudah), as 'sejak' often links a past starting point to a state that has already been achieved or is ongoing.

Words in This Pattern

sejak