mengapa / kenapa
Why Questions
Both mengapa and kenapa mean 'why'. Mengapa is the formal standard used in writing, while kenapa is the universal choice for speaking.
How It Works
Malay has two primary ways to ask for a reason:
1. Mengapa: This is the formal (Baku) form. You will see it in newspapers, textbooks, and official speeches. In very formal questions, it often appears as mengapakah (adding the -kah suffix) and is placed at the start of the sentence.
2. Kenapa: This is the informal/colloquial form used in daily conversations. Because it originates from kena apa ('hit/affected by what'), it carries a sense of 'what happened' that the formal version does not.
Special Idiomatic Use:
Only kenapa can be used to ask 'What's wrong?' or 'What happened to you?'. The phrase 'Awak kenapa?' is a common way to check on someone who looks upset or ill. You cannot use mengapa in this specific context because it only asks for a logical reason, not a physical or emotional state.
Examples (5)
- Mengapakah anda tidak hadir ke mesyuarat semalam?
Why did you not attend the meeting yesterday?
Word by Word: Why-kah you not attend to meeting yesterday?
This uses the formal 'mengapakah' with the '-kah' suffix, appropriate for a professional or official context.
- Kenapa kau nangis ni?
Why are you crying?
Word by Word: Why you cry this?
A typical casual sentence using 'kenapa' and the familiar pronoun 'kau'.
- Eh, awak kenapa? Muka nampak pucat.
Eh, what's wrong with you? Your face looks pale.
Word by Word: Eh, you why? Face look pale.
This demonstrates the idiomatic use of 'kenapa' to ask about someone's state or well-being.
- Kenapa awak beli buku itu?
Why did you buy that book?
Word by Word: Why you buy book that?
A neutral, everyday question using 'kenapa'.
- Mengapa perkara ini berlaku?
Why did this matter happen?
Word by Word: Why matter this happen?
A formal inquiry, likely found in a report or news article.
Common Mistakes
Using 'kenapa' in formal writing or exams.
Kenapa kerajaan membina jalan ini?Mengapakah kerajaan membina jalan ini?In Malaysian school exams and formal essays, 'mengapa' is the expected form. 'Kenapa' is considered too casual for academic writing.
Using 'mengapa' to ask 'What's wrong?'
Awak mengapa?Awak kenapa?Native speakers only use 'kenapa' for the idiomatic meaning of 'What is the matter with you?'. Using 'mengapa' here sounds very unnatural.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'mengapa' and 'kenapa' effectively, learners should first be comfortable with basic Malay sentence structure (SVO) and how to negate verbs or adjectives, as 'why' questions frequently inquire about the reasons for actions or the lack thereof.
Related Patterns
- apaWhat with Apa
Both 'mengapa' and 'kenapa' are derived from the root word 'apa' (what).
Level 1 - keranaReason Clause with Kerana
'Kerana' (because) is the standard way to answer a 'why' question.
Level 1 - -kahQuestion Suffix -kah
The suffix '-kah' is frequently attached to 'mengapa' in formal written questions.
Level 3 - bagaimanaHow with Bagaimana
Another interrogative adverb used to ask 'how', often used alongside 'mengapa' in formal inquiries.
Level 1 - tidak / takTidak and Tak
Just as 'mengapa' is formal, 'tidak' is the formal negation, while 'kenapa' often pairs with the colloquial 'tak'.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice mengapa / kenapa in Bubblegum
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