That-clause as an argument
The word bahawa is the formal equivalent of the English conjunction "that." It introduces a statement of fact or opinion that functions as the subject or object of a sentence.
How It Works
The bahawa clause is a hallmark of Bahasa Melayu Baku (Standard Malay). It serves several grammatical roles:
- Direct Object: It follows verbs of reporting or mental states, such as menyatakan (to state) or mengetahui (to know). In this position, bahawa is often optional, though preferred in formal writing.
- Subject: The entire clause can start a sentence to represent a fact. In this role, bahawa is mandatory (e.g., Bahawa dia jujur memang diketahui umum).
- Adjective Complement: It follows adjectives expressing certainty like yakin (certain) or sedar (aware).
- Passive Voice: The clause remains intact when a sentence is transformed into the passive voice (e.g., Telah ditegaskan bahawa...).
Bahawa vs. Untuk: It is important to distinguish between these two complementizers. Use bahawa for facts and certainties ('that'). Use untuk for clauses involving intent, possibility, or obligation ('to/for').
Examples (4)
- Beliau menyatakan bahawa projek itu akan diteruskan.
He stated that the project will be continued.
Word by Word: He state that project that will be continued.
Here, the 'bahawa' clause acts as the direct object of the formal verb 'menyatakan'.
- Bahawa dia tidak bersalah telah dibuktikan di mahkamah.
That he is innocent has been proven in court.
Word by Word: That he not guilty already proven in court.
In this formal structure, the entire clause starting with 'bahawa' serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Saya yakin bahawa pasukan kita akan menang.
I am certain that our team will win.
Word by Word: I certain that team our will win.
The clause follows the adjective 'yakin' to explain what the speaker is certain about.
- Kerajaan mengumumkan bahawa esok adalah hari kelepasan am.
The government announced that tomorrow is a public holiday.
Word by Word: Government announce that tomorrow is day holiday general.
A classic use in news reporting to introduce a factual announcement.
Common Mistakes
Omitting 'bahawa' when the clause is the subject.
Dia tidak bersalah adalah jelas.Bahawa dia tidak bersalah adalah jelas.While 'bahawa' is often optional when it follows a verb (object position), it is mandatory when the entire clause acts as the subject at the beginning of a sentence.
Using 'untuk' before a clause that has its own subject.
Saya berharap untuk dia datang.Saya berharap bahawa dia datang.untuk links a verb to a goal of the same subject: 'Saya berharap untuk berjaya.' When a new subject follows ('dia datang'), use 'bahawa' or leave it out: 'Saya berharap dia datang.'
Using 'yang' instead of 'bahawa' in formal writing.
Saya tahu yang dia sudah pergi.Saya tahu bahawa dia telah pergi.While yang is common in speech, 'bahawa' is the standard complementizer in formal contexts to introduce a content clause.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand a nominalized 'bahawa' clause, a learner must first be comfortable with the basic use of 'bahawa' to create content clauses. They also need to understand Malay's ability to use noun phrases as predicates and the role of formal copulas like 'ialah', as these clauses function syntactically as complex nouns within the sentence structure.
- bahawaContent Clauses with Bahawa
The 'bahawa' marker is the core component used to introduce content clauses before they can be nominalized or used as arguments.
Level 2 - ialahFormal Identifying Copula Before Noun Phrases
The formal copula 'ialah' is frequently used to link a subject to a nominalized 'bahawa' clause acting as a complement.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- yangRelative Clauses with Yang
Often confused with 'bahawa'; 'yang' describes a noun, while 'bahawa' introduces a statement.
Level 2 - fakta bahawaThe Fact That
A specific construction meaning 'the fact that' which uses a nominalized clause.
Level 5 - meN-Active Transitive Verbs with MeN-
Many verbs that take 'bahawa' clauses require the meN- prefix in formal registers.
Level 2 - untukFor with Untuk
Used for purpose or infinitives, whereas 'bahawa' is used for factual statements.
Level 1
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Words in This Pattern
Practice That-clause as an argument in Bubblegum
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