You've learned to build solid sentences. Now, let's learn how to connect them! Conjunctions are the "glue" words like 'and', 'or', and 'but' that link words, phrases, and clauses to create longer, more meaningful statements.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
These three words are the most fundamental and frequently used connectors.
| Conjunction | English | Function & Example |
|---|---|---|
| dan (dahn) |
and | Connects two similar items or ideas. Saya suka kopi dan teh. (I like coffee and tea.) |
| atau (ah-tow) |
or | Presents an alternative or a choice. Awak mahu kopi atau teh? (Do you want coffee or tea?) |
| tetapi (tuh-tah-pee) |
but | Connects two contrasting ideas. Saya suka kopi, tetapi saya tidak suka susu. (I like coffee, but I don't like milk.) |
| Conjunction | English | Function & Example |
|---|---|---|
| kerana / sebab (kuh-rah-nah / suh-bahb) |
because | Gives a reason for something. Dia tidak datang kerana dia sakit. (He didn't come because he is sick.) |
| sambil (sahm-beel) |
while (doing two things at once) | Describes two actions performed by the same person simultaneously. Dia membaca buku sambil mendengar muzik. (He reads a book while listening to music.) |
| jika / kalau (jee-kah / kah-low) |
if | Introduces a conditional clause. Kalau awak lapar, kita boleh makan. (If you are hungry, we can eat.) |
Just like `mahu` becomes `nak`, the word `tetapi` has a very common shortened form used in everyday speech: `tapi`.
Using `tapi` in conversation will instantly make you sound more natural and less like you're reading from a textbook.
Master these essential conjunctions.
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Fill in the blanks with `dan`, `atau`, or `tetapi`.
Connect the two ideas using an appropriate conjunction.
A conversation about weekend choices.
Farid: Hujung minggu ini, awak nak buat apa? Kita boleh tengok wayang atau pergi ke pantai. (...ah-wahk nahk boo-at ah-pah? kee-tah boh-leh teng-ok wah-yahng ah-tow pur-gee kuh pahn-tai.)
Chloe: Saya suka pantai, tetapi ramalan cuaca kata akan hujan. (sah-yah soo-kah pahn-tai, tuh-tah-pee rah-mah-lahn choo-ah-chah kah-tah ah-kahn hoo-jahn.)
Farid: Oh, ya ke? Kalau macam itu, kita tengok wayang sahajalah. (oh, yah kuh? kah-low mah-chahm ee-too, kee-tah teng-ok wah-yahng sah-hah-jah-lah.)
Chloe: Setuju! Kita boleh makan popcorn sambil menonton filem. (suh-too-joo! kee-tah boh-leh mah-kahn popcorn sahm-beel muh-nohn-tohn fee-luhm.)
Farid: This weekend, what do you want to do? We can watch a movie or go to the beach.
Chloe: I like the beach, but the weather forecast says it will rain.
Farid: Oh, really? If that's the case, let's just watch a movie then.
Chloe: Agreed! We can eat popcorn while watching the film.
Bagus! You can now link your ideas like a pro. This allows for much more nuanced and detailed communication. This brings us to the final chapter of Level 3. In Chapter 34, we will have a consolidation chapter, Perbualan Kompleks (Complex Conversations), where we'll see all the Level 3 grammar (`imbuhan`, commands, and conjunctions) working together in realistic dialogues.