Subordinate Clauses
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Subordinate clauses add extra information to a main sentence using conjunctions like 'karena', 'ketika', or 'yang'.
- Use 'karena' to show reason: Saya senang karena hari ini libur.
- Use 'ketika' for timing: Saya tidur ketika hujan turun.
- Use 'yang' to describe nouns: Buku yang saya baca sangat menarik.
Meanings
A subordinate clause functions as a dependent part of a sentence, providing context, reason, or description to the main clause.
Causal
Explaining the reason for an action.
“Saya makan karena lapar.”
“Dia menangis karena sedih.”
Temporal
Indicating when an action happens.
“Saya belajar ketika malam tiba.”
“Dia menelepon saat saya mandi.”
Relative
Describing a noun.
“Mobil yang merah itu milik saya.”
“Orang yang duduk di sana guru saya.”
Common Conjunctions for Subordinate Clauses
| Conjunction | Meaning | Usage Type |
|---|---|---|
| karena | because | causal |
| ketika | when | temporal |
| yang | that/which | relative |
| jika | if | conditional |
| sebelum | before | temporal |
| walaupun | although | concessive |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Main + Conj + Sub | Saya makan karena lapar. |
| Negative | Main + Conj + Sub (neg) | Saya tidak makan karena tidak lapar. |
| Question | Main + Conj + Sub? | Apakah kamu makan karena lapar? |
| Inverted | Conj + Sub, Main | Karena lapar, saya makan. |
| Relative | Noun + yang + Clause | Buku yang saya beli bagus. |
| Conditional | Jika + Sub, Main | Jika hujan, saya tidak pergi. |
Spectre de formalité
Karena saya lelah, saya akan tidur. (Daily life)
Saya akan tidur karena saya lelah. (Daily life)
Aku tidur karena capek. (Daily life)
Capek, jadi gue tidur. (Daily life)
Subordinate Clause Map
Reason
- karena because
Time
- ketika when
Description
- yang that/which
Examples by Level
Saya senang karena hari ini libur.
I am happy because today is a holiday.
Dia makan karena lapar.
He eats because he is hungry.
Saya tidur karena lelah.
I sleep because I am tired.
Dia pergi karena sakit.
He left because he was sick.
Saya belajar ketika malam tiba.
I study when night comes.
Buku yang saya baca bagus.
The book that I read is good.
Dia menelepon saat saya mandi.
He called when I was showering.
Orang yang duduk itu teman saya.
The person who is sitting is my friend.
Walaupun hujan, saya tetap pergi.
Although it is raining, I still go.
Sebelum kamu pergi, kunci pintunya.
Before you go, lock the door.
Setelah dia datang, kita makan.
After he arrives, we eat.
Jika kamu mau, saya bisa bantu.
If you want, I can help.
Agar dia mengerti, saya jelaskan pelan-pelan.
So that he understands, I explain slowly.
Meskipun lelah, dia tetap bekerja.
Even though tired, he keeps working.
Karena macet, saya terlambat rapat.
Because of traffic, I am late for the meeting.
Seandainya saya punya uang, saya beli mobil.
If I had money, I would buy a car.
Kendatipun usahanya gagal, dia tidak menyerah.
Even though his effort failed, he did not give up.
Manakala waktu luang tiba, saya membaca buku.
Whenever free time arrives, I read books.
Bahwasanya dia bersalah, itu sudah jelas.
That he is guilty, that is clear.
Jikalau Anda berkenan, silakan masuk.
If you are pleased, please enter.
Bilamana keadaan mendesak, kita harus bertindak.
Whenever the situation is urgent, we must act.
Sekalipun ia memohon, keputusannya tetap bulat.
Even if he begs, the decision remains firm.
Seraya ia berbicara, ia menatap mata saya.
While he was speaking, he looked into my eyes.
Andaikata ia tahu, ia pasti akan marah.
If he knew, he would surely be angry.
Easily Confused
Learners often use them interchangeably.
Both translate to 'that'.
Both can mean 'when'.
Erreurs courantes
Saya makan karena lapar saya.
Saya makan karena saya lapar.
Karena saya lapar saya makan.
Karena saya lapar, saya makan.
Saya makan yang lapar.
Saya makan karena lapar.
Saya pergi karena hujan.
Saya pergi karena hujan turun.
Buku yang saya baca itu bagus.
Buku yang saya baca bagus.
Ketika saya makan, dia datang.
Dia datang ketika saya makan.
Saya tidur saat malam.
Saya tidur ketika malam tiba.
Walaupun dia lelah, tapi dia bekerja.
Walaupun dia lelah, dia bekerja.
Jika kamu datang, saya akan pergi.
Jika kamu datang, saya pergi.
Karena macet, jadi saya telat.
Karena macet, saya telat.
Bahwasanya dia tahu, itu benar.
Bahwa dia tahu, itu benar.
Kendatipun dia kaya, namun dia pelit.
Kendatipun dia kaya, dia pelit.
Manakala saya melihatnya, saya teringat.
Manakala saya melihatnya, saya teringat.
Sentence Patterns
Saya ___ karena ___.
___ yang saya beli itu ___.
Ketika ___, saya ___.
Jika ___, saya akan ___.
Real World Usage
Aku telat karena macet.
Saya melamar karena saya punya pengalaman.
Nasi goreng yang pedas.
Foto yang saya ambil kemarin.
Saya pergi sebelum hujan.
Bahwa kami akan datang, itu benar.
Comma Rule
Don't Overuse
Relative Clauses
Polite Explanations
Smart Tips
Break them up using subordinate clauses to improve flow.
Use 'yang' to add detail instead of using two sentences.
Start with 'karena' to sound more professional.
Use 'ketika' to be more precise than just 'saat'.
Prononciation
Comma pause
Pause slightly at the comma when the subordinate clause comes first.
Rising-falling
KARENA lapar, saya MAKAN.
Emphasis on the cause.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember 'K-K-Y': Karena, Ketika, Yang. These are your three best friends for building complex sentences.
Visual Association
Imagine a train. The main clause is the engine, and the subordinate clause is the carriage attached to it by a hook (the conjunction). The carriage cannot move without the engine.
Rhyme
Kalau mau bicara panjang, pakai 'yang', 'ketika', atau 'karena' biar terang.
Story
Budi lapar. Budi makan. Budi senang. Now combine them: Budi makan karena dia lapar, dan dia senang ketika dia kenyang.
Word Web
Défi
Write 5 sentences about your day using one of the KKY words in each.
Notes culturelles
Politeness often requires using 'karena' instead of 'so' to explain delays.
In slang, 'karena' is often replaced by 'gara-gara'.
Using 'bahwasanya' or 'jikalau' is common in official letters.
Indonesian grammar evolved from Malay, which uses particles to connect clauses.
Conversation Starters
Kenapa kamu belajar bahasa Indonesia?
Apa yang kamu lakukan ketika kamu bosan?
Jika kamu bisa pergi ke mana saja, ke mana kamu akan pergi?
Bagaimana pendapatmu tentang buku yang sedang populer?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Saya makan ___ saya lapar.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Saya makan yang saya lapar.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
The book that I read is good.
Answer starts with: Buk...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Use 'jika' and 'kamu datang'.
In 'Saya pergi karena hujan', which is the subordinate clause?
Score: /8
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesSaya makan ___ saya lapar.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Saya makan yang saya lapar.
pergi / saya / karena / hujan
The book that I read is good.
Match: karena, ketika, yang
Use 'jika' and 'kamu datang'.
In 'Saya pergi karena hujan', which is the subordinate clause?
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
Yes, but you must add a comma after the clause.
They are mostly interchangeable, but 'karena' is more common in daily speech.
It acts as a connector to describe nouns, like 'the car that is red'.
Only if the subject is the same as in the main clause.
Add 'tidak' or 'bukan' before the verb in the subordinate clause.
Yes, but it can get complicated. Keep it simple for now.
It is neutral and used in all contexts.
It is a common mistake, but try to remember it for better writing.
In Other Languages
Subordinate clauses with 'porque' and 'que'.
Spanish requires verb conjugation changes; Indonesian does not.
Subordinate clauses with 'parce que' and 'qui/que'.
French has complex mood changes (subjunctive) which Indonesian lacks.
Nebensätze (subordinate clauses).
German word order changes significantly; Indonesian word order is stable.
Particles like 'kara' and 'node'.
Japanese is SOV; Indonesian is SVO.
Conjunctions like 'li-anna' and 'alladhi'.
Arabic has complex gender and number agreement; Indonesian is neutral.
Conjunctions like 'yinwei' and 'de'.
Chinese 'de' is a particle; Indonesian 'yang' is a relative pronoun.
