begitu + Adjective

So or Once with Begitu

Level 3

Begitu + Adjective has two main uses:
1. Intensifier: 'So [adjective]' (e.g., so beautiful).
2. Temporal: 'Once [adjective]' or 'As soon as [adjective]' (e.g., once angry).

How It Works

The pattern begitu + adjective is a versatile structure in Malay, primarily found in formal or literary contexts.

1. As an Intensifier ('So')
When used before an adjective, it functions similarly to sangat, but with the nuance of 'to such a degree.' It is frequently paired with sehingga (until/so that) to show a result.
Example: Begitu cantik sehingga... (So beautiful that...).

2. As a Temporal Conjunction ('Once' / 'As soon as')
In narrative writing, begitu can start a clause to indicate that an action happens the moment a state is reached.
Example: Begitu kenyang, dia terus tidur. (As soon as [he] was full, he immediately slept).

3. Register and Usage

  • Formal: It is more common in books, news, and speeches than in daily conversation.
  • Negative: It is often used with tidak to mean 'not so' (e.g., tidak begitu mahal).
  • Word Order: Unlike some other intensifiers, begitu must always come before the adjective.

Examples (5)

  1. Pemandangan di sini begitu indah.

    The scenery here is so beautiful.

    Word by Word: Scenery at here so beautiful.

    Here, 'begitu' acts as a formal intensifier for the adjective 'indah' (beautiful).

  2. Dia tidak begitu sihat hari ini.

    He is not so well today.

    Word by Word: He not so healthy day this.

    In negative sentences, 'tidak begitu' translates to 'not so' or 'not very'.

  3. Begitu marah, dia terus keluar dari bilik itu.

    Once [he was] angry, he immediately went out of that room.

    Word by Word: Once angry, he straight go-out from room that.

    This demonstrates the temporal function, where the state of being angry triggers the next action immediately.

  4. Begitu lapar, budak itu makan dengan gelojoh.

    As soon as he was hungry, the boy ate greedily.

    Word by Word: Once hungry, boy that eat with greed.

    The adjective 'lapar' (hungry) follows 'begitu' to show the immediate cause of the action.

  5. Begitu tinggi bangunan itu sehingga puncaknya tidak kelihatan.

    That building is so tall that its peak is not visible.

    Word by Word: So tall building that until peak-its not visible.

    This shows the resultative construction using 'begitu... sehingga'.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing 'begitu' after the adjective.

    Rumah itu besar begitu.
    Rumah itu begitu besar.

    As an intensifier, 'begitu' must precede the adjective. Placing it after changes the meaning to 'like that' (adverbial).

  • Combining 'begitu' with other intensifiers like 'sangat'.

    Dia begitu sangat rajin.
    Dia begitu rajin. / Dia sangat rajin.

    Using two intensifiers together is redundant. Choose either 'begitu' or 'sangat'.

How It Connects

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

begitu + AdjectiveLevel 3So or Once with Begitu

Learn This First

To understand 'begitu + adjective', you first need to know how adjectives function as predicates in Malay without a copula. Since 'begitu' acts as an intensifier (meaning 'so' or 'that'), familiarity with basic intensifiers like 'sangat' and the demonstrative 'itu' (from which 'begitu' is derived) provides the necessary grammatical and semantic foundation.

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Words in This Pattern

begitu