masih belum

Still Not Yet

Level 3

Masih belum = "Still not yet." It combines masih (still) and belum (not yet) to highlight a persistent delay or an unfulfilled expectation.

How It Works

The phrase masih belum is a standard example of kata bantu aspek berderetan (sequential aspectual auxiliaries).

1. Function and Nuance:
While belum simply means "not yet," masih belum adds a layer of duration. It implies that a situation has remained unchanged despite the passage of time or a specific expectation. For example, saying "Dia belum sampai" is a neutral statement that someone hasn't arrived. Saying "Dia masih belum sampai" suggests they are late or that their arrival is being closely monitored.

2. Sentence Structure:
The pattern follows the standard SVO order:

  • [Subject] + masih belum + [Verb/Adjective]

3. Usage with Adjectives:
It is frequently used with adjectives that describe a state of completion or recovery, such as siap (finished) or sembuh (recovered).

4. Register:
This is a formal and standard construction used in news, literature, and professional settings. In very casual speech, speakers might use belum lagi, but masih belum remains the preferred choice for providing clear emphasis in both spoken and written Malay.

Examples (4)

  1. Dia masih belum sampai ke pejabat walaupun sudah pukul sembilan pagi.

    He still hasn't arrived at the office even though it is already nine in the morning.

    Word by Word: He still not-yet arrive to office although already hour nine morning.

    This sentence uses 'masih belum' to emphasize the delay relative to the time (9:00 AM).

  2. Kerja sekolah yang diberikan oleh guru itu masih belum siap.

    The homework given by the teacher is still not finished.

    Word by Word: Work school that given by teacher that still not-yet ready.

    Here, 'masih belum' is used with the adjective 'siap' (ready/finished) to show a continuing state of incompleteness.

  3. Pihak polis masih belum menemui petunjuk baharu tentang kes tersebut.

    The police have still not found new leads regarding the case.

    Word by Word: Side police still not-yet find lead new about case that.

    In formal reporting, 'masih belum' highlights the ongoing search for information that has not yet yielded results.

  4. Luka pada kakinya masih belum sembuh sepenuhnya.

    The wound on his leg has still not fully healed.

    Word by Word: Wound on leg-his still not-yet heal completely.

    This demonstrates 'masih belum' used with a verb of physical change (sembuh) to show a persistent condition.

Common Mistakes

  • Incorrect word order (using 'belum masih').

    Saya belum masih makan.
    Saya masih belum makan.

    In Malay, the word order is fixed. 'Masih' (still) must always come before 'belum' (not yet). 'Belum masih' is ungrammatical.

  • Confusing 'masih belum' with 'masih tidak'.

    Dia masih belum mahu pergi.
    Dia masih tidak mahu pergi.

    Use 'masih belum' when you expect the action to happen eventually. Use 'masih tidak' for a persistent state of refusal or negation where there is no immediate expectation of change.

How It Connects

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

masih belumLevel 3Still Not Yet

Learn This First

To understand 'masih belum', you must first understand its two component parts: 'masih' (still) and 'belum' (not yet). Combining them emphasizes that a state of something not having happened is still continuing.

Words in This Pattern

masih