tanpa + Verb

Without Doing with Tanpa

Level 3

The preposition tanpa is used before a verb to describe an action that was omitted while another action occurred. It translates to 'without doing' and treats the following verb as a verbal noun.

How It Works

The word tanpa is a preposition (kata sendi nama) that indicates absence or exclusion. While it is frequently used with nouns (e.g., tanpa wang), it is also used with verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed.

1. Usage with Verbs
In formal Malay, verbs following tanpa usually retain their prefixes (like meN- or ber-), which helps them function as verbal nouns within the prepositional phrase:

  • tanpa memberitahu (without telling)
  • tanpa berfikir (without thinking)

2. Standard Idioms
Some phrases are considered standard and formal even without a prefix due to their idiomatic status. A common example is:

  • tanpa henti (without stopping / non-stop)

3. Placement and Function
In Malay, tanpa must always precede the verb phrase it modifies. It provides circumstantial information about how an action was done, rather than simply negating a statement. For example, compare tanpa with tidak:

  • Dia pergi tidak makan. (He went [and] did not eat.)
  • Dia pergi tanpa makan. (He went without eating.)

Examples (4)

  1. Dia keluar dari bilik tanpa memberitahu sesiapa.

    He left the room without telling anyone.

    Word by Word: He exit from room without tell anyone.

    Here, 'tanpa' is followed by the prefixed verb 'memberitahu' to show the action that was omitted.

  2. Tanpa membuang masa, kami teruskan perjalanan.

    Without wasting time, we continued the journey.

    Word by Word: Without waste time, we continue journey.

    The phrase 'tanpa membuang masa' acts as an introductory adverbial phrase.

  3. Jangan masuk ke kawasan ini tanpa memakai pelitup muka.

    Do not enter this area without wearing a face mask.

    Word by Word: Do not enter to area this without wear mask face.

    This uses 'tanpa' to set a condition for the main command.

  4. Dia boleh membaca selama berjam-jam tanpa merasa bosan.

    He can read for hours without feeling bored.

    Word by Word: He can read for hours-hours without feel bored.

    Shows a state ('feeling bored') that does not occur during the main activity.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the meN- prefix in formal writing.

    Dia pergi tanpa beritahu saya.
    Dia pergi tanpa memberitahu saya.

    While common in speech, formal Malay requires the active prefix (meN-) after 'tanpa'.

  • Using 'tidak' instead of 'tanpa' for 'without'.

    Dia makan dengan tidak cuci tangan.
    Dia makan tanpa mencuci tangan.

    While 'dengan tidak' is grammatically possible in very formal/old texts, 'tanpa' is the standard and more natural way to say 'without' in modern Malay.

How It Connects

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tanpa + VerbLevel 3Without Doing with Tanpa

Learn This First

To use 'tanpa' with a verb, you first need to understand its basic meaning as 'without' (tanpa noun). Additionally, since verbs following 'tanpa' typically appear in their active prefixed forms, familiarity with the 'meN-' prefix system is essential.

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tanpa