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A1 preposition 10분 분량

selama

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 selama 30초 만에

설명 selama in your Level:

At the A1 level, you use 'selama' to talk about basic time durations. Think of it as the word you need to answer the question 'How long?' (Berapa lama?). You will use it with simple numbers and time units like 'hari' (days), 'jam' (hours), or 'minggu' (weeks). For example, 'Saya di sini selama dua hari' (I am here for two days). You also use it for very common events like 'selama liburan' (during the holidays). At this stage, don't worry about complex grammar; just treat 'selama' as a bridge between your action and the time it took. It is a vital word for basic travel needs and introducing yourself.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'selama' in more varied sentence structures. You might use it to describe your work experience ('Saya bekerja di sana selama tiga tahun') or to explain a sequence of events. You will also encounter the phrase 'selama ini' (all this time/lately) in conversations. You should be able to distinguish 'selama' (duration) from 'sejak' (since). You'll also start using it to describe conditions, such as 'selama cuaca bagus' (as long as the weather is good). This level is about expanding 'selama' from just numbers into simple descriptive states.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the B1 level, 'selama' becomes a tool for narration. You use it to provide context in stories or reports. You might say, 'Selama perjalanan, kami melihat banyak pemandangan indah' (During the trip, we saw many beautiful views). You also start using 'selama' to connect two clauses more fluently. Your understanding of 'selama' as 'as long as' becomes more robust, allowing you to set conditions for future plans. You should also be comfortable hearing 'selama' in news broadcasts where durations of events or government policies are discussed. It helps you move from simple sentences to more complex, connected speech.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the B2 level, you use 'selama' with precision in professional and academic contexts. You understand its role in formal documents, such as 'selama masa kontrak' (during the contract period). You can discuss abstract durations, like 'selama proses reformasi' (during the reform process). You also begin to recognize the nuance between 'selama' and more formal synonyms like 'sewaktu' or 'sepanjang'. You can use 'selama' to express complex temporal relationships in debates or presentations, ensuring your listener understands the exact timeframe of the phenomena you are describing. Your usage is consistent and rarely confused with 'saat' or 'ketika'.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the C1 level, you recognize 'selama' in literary and highly formal registers. You might encounter it in classical Indonesian literature or high-level legal discourse where it defines the temporal scope of laws. You understand the subtle emotional weight of 'selama' in poetry, where it might represent the span of a lifetime or an era. You can use it colloquially and formally with equal ease, shifting your register as needed. You also understand how 'selama' interacts with other temporal markers to create sophisticated narrative layers. At this level, you might also explore the etymological roots of 'selama' to understand its relation to other Austronesian languages.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'selama' is near-native. You can detect the slightest misuse of the word by others and can use it to create specific rhetorical effects. You are familiar with archaic uses of the word in historical texts and can interpret it within the context of 19th-century Malay manuscripts. You understand the philosophical implications of 'selama' in discussions about time and existence. Whether it is used in a complex legal treaty, a nuanced political speech, or a piece of avant-garde literature, you grasp the full spectrum of its meaning, including its cultural and historical resonances. You use 'selama' effortlessly as a natural part of your expansive Indonesian vocabulary.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

selama 30초 만에

Selama is the primary Indonesian word for 'during' or 'for' a duration of time.
It comes from the root word 'lama' meaning long or old in terms of time.
It can be used with numbers (selama 2 jam) or events (selama rapat).
In some contexts, it also means 'as long as' when connecting two clauses.

The Indonesian word selama is a fundamental preposition and conjunction that primarily translates to 'during,' 'for,' or 'as long as' in English. It is derived from the root word lama, which relates to length of time or duration. Understanding selama is essential for any learner because it provides the temporal framework for actions, describing how long an event lasts or the specific period within which an action occurs. In the Indonesian language, time is often expressed through such markers rather than complex verb conjugations, making selama a heavy lifter in everyday communication.

Temporal Duration: When followed by a specific quantity of time (e.g., three days, two hours), it functions like the English 'for'. It quantifies the span of an activity from start to finish.

Saya akan tinggal di Bali selama satu minggu.

Translation: I will stay in Bali for one week.

Beyond simple durations, selama is used to indicate that an action happened concurrently with another event or state. In this context, it translates to 'during.' For instance, if you want to say something happened during the holidays or during a meeting, selama is your primary choice. It bridges the gap between a specific moment and a continuous stretch of time. This dual functionality—covering both specific 'for' durations and general 'during' periods—makes it more versatile than its English counterparts.

Conditional Persistence: It can also mean 'as long as,' indicating a condition based on time or state. For example, 'As long as I live, I will remember you' uses selama to set a temporal boundary for a promise.

Jangan berbicara selama pelajaran berlangsung.

The 'Selama Ini' Idiom: This phrase is ubiquitous in Indonesian. It means 'all this time' or 'up until now.' It is used to express realization or a state that has been true for a long period leading to the present moment.

In conversational Indonesian, selama is often shortened to just lama in very informal settings, though this is technically incorrect in formal grammar. However, the root word lama itself means 'long (time)' or 'old (items),' and selama literally translates to 'as long as.' This etymological connection helps learners visualize the word as a measure of temporal 'length.' Whether you are discussing a business trip, a historical era, or a simple afternoon nap, selama acts as the ruler that measures the time elapsed. It is a word that appears in almost every genre of speech, from the most formal legal documents to the most casual street slang, making it one of the top 100 most important words to master for fluency.

Using selama correctly involves understanding its placement relative to nouns and verbs. Most commonly, selama precedes a noun phrase that denotes time or an event. Unlike some Indonesian prepositions that can be flexible, selama almost always sits directly before the duration it describes. This consistency makes it easier for English speakers to adopt, as it mirrors the structure of 'for three hours' or 'during the summer.'

Structure: Selama + [Number] + [Time Unit]: This is the most common pattern. Example: selama dua jam (for two hours), selama lima tahun (for five years).

Dia belajar di perpustakaan selama tiga jam kemarin.

Translation: He studied in the library for three hours yesterday.

When using selama to mean 'during,' it is followed by a noun representing an event. This could be a meeting (rapat), a trip (perjalanan), or a season (musim). It is important to note that selama implies the action happened throughout the entirety of that event, or at some point within that specific timeframe.

Structure: Selama + [Event Noun]: Example: selama konferensi (during the conference), selama liburan (during the holiday).

Banyak orang merasa senang selama festival berlangsung.

A more advanced usage involves selama as a conjunction connecting two clauses. In this case, it means 'as long as' or 'while.' It describes two states that exist simultaneously. For example, 'As long as the sun shines, I will work.' This usage is slightly more formal and is often found in literature or speeches.

Structure: Selama + [Clause]: Example: Selama kamu bahagia, aku juga bahagia (As long as you are happy, I am also happy).

Selama masih ada harapan, kita tidak boleh menyerah.

Finally, consider the negative construction. If you want to say 'has not happened for [duration],' you use belum... selama. For example, 'I haven't eaten for two days' becomes Saya belum makan selama dua hari. This highlights the duration of the absence of an action. Mastering these patterns allows you to express complex temporal relationships with precision, moving beyond simple present-tense statements into the realm of narrative and conditional thought.

In Indonesia, selama is a word that echoes through every corridor of life. If you are at a busy airport like Soekarno-Hatta in Jakarta, you will hear it over the PA system: 'Mohon maaf atas ketidaknyamanan selama perbaikan' (We apologize for the inconvenience during repairs). It is the language of service and public announcements, used to define the boundaries of temporary situations. In the workplace, it is the cornerstone of project management; managers will ask, 'Berapa lama?' (How long?) and employees will respond with selama tiga minggu (for three weeks) or selama bulan ini (during this month).

Daily News and Media: News anchors frequently use it to describe the duration of protests, government sessions, or weather events. 'Hujan lebat diprediksi terjadi selama tiga hari ke depan' (Heavy rain is predicted for the next three days).

Presiden akan berada di luar negeri selama lima hari untuk kunjungan kenegaraan.

In the realm of entertainment, particularly in sinetron (Indonesian soap operas), selama is often used in high-stakes emotional dialogue. A character might cry out, 'Di mana kamu selama ini?!' (Where have you been all this time?!). This specific phrase, selama ini, carries a weight of history and often marks a turning point in a narrative. It suggests a long-held secret or a period of absence that is finally being addressed. Similarly, in pop songs, you will hear lyrics like 'Selama jantungku berdetak' (As long as my heart beats), using the word to express eternal devotion.

Academic and Legal Settings: In textbooks or contracts, selama defines validity. 'Kontrak ini berlaku selama dua tahun' (This contract is valid for two years). It provides the legal 'shelf-life' of agreements.

If you visit a traditional market (pasar), you might hear a vendor talking about how long they have been selling a certain item: 'Saya sudah jualan di sini selama dua puluh tahun' (I have been selling here for twenty years). Here, it serves as a badge of experience and reliability. Essentially, whenever an Indonesian person wants to ground a statement in a specific timeframe—whether it is the duration of a flight, the length of a relationship, or the timeframe of a historical event—selama is the indispensable tool they reach for. It is woven into the very fabric of how Indonesians perceive and communicate the passage of time.

For English speakers, the most frequent mistake when using selama is confusing it with other time-related words like saat (when/at the time of) or sedang (in the process of). While selama describes a duration, saat refers to a specific point in time. For example, saying 'Selama saya datang' (During I arrive) is incorrect because arriving is a momentary action, not a duration. You should say 'Saat saya datang' (When I arrived).

Confusion with 'Sedang': Learners often try to use selama to indicate an ongoing action (like the English '-ing'). However, sedang is the progressive marker. You cannot say 'Saya selama makan' to mean 'I am eating.' You must say 'Saya sedang makan.'

Incorrect: Dia tidur saat tiga jam.
Correct: Dia tidur selama tiga jam.

Another common error is the redundant use of selama with untuk (for). In English, we say 'for three hours,' and since untuk often translates to 'for,' learners might say 'untuk selama tiga jam.' This is redundant. In Indonesian, selama already carries the meaning of 'for a duration,' so untuk is unnecessary and sounds unnatural to native ears.

The 'Selama' vs. 'Sepanjang' Trap: While sepanjang (along/throughout) can sometimes replace selama, it is more spatial or emphasizes the entirety of a period. Beginners should stick to selama for durations until they master the nuances of sepanjang hari (all day long).

Finally, ensure you don't use selama when you mean 'since' (sejak). If you started living in a city in 2010 and still live there, you use sejak 2010. If you want to say you have lived there for 13 years, you use selama 13 tahun. Mixing these up is a classic A1-A2 level mistake. Remember: sejak is the starting point, selama is the total span. By keeping these distinctions in mind—point vs. duration, and start-point vs. total-span—you will avoid the most common pitfalls and sound much more like a native speaker.

Indonesian offers several synonyms and related terms for selama, each with its own specific register and nuance. Understanding these alternatives will help you vary your speech and understand more complex texts. The most common alternative is sewaktu, which is often used interchangeably with selama when it means 'during' or 'at the time of.' however, sewaktu is strictly for events, never for durations of time like 'three hours.'

Selagi vs. Selama: Selagi translates to 'while' or 'as long as.' It is often used to suggest taking advantage of a current state. 'Selagi masih muda, belajarlah' (While you are still young, study).

Sepanjang malam dia tidak bisa tidur.

Sepanjang emphasizes 'throughout' the whole duration.

Another important word is tatkala. This is a literary and very formal version of 'when' or 'during.' You will find it in classical poetry, old novels, or formal speeches. It adds a poetic or archaic tone to the sentence. In modern daily conversation, it is almost never used, but it is essential for reading comprehension at higher CEFR levels.

Comparison Table

Selama: General 'during/for' (Neutral)
Sewaktu: 'During/at the time of' (Neutral/Informal)
Tatkala: 'When/During' (Very Formal/Literary)
Sepanjang: 'Throughout/All along' (Emphatic)

For indicating 'as long as' in a conditional sense, you might also see asalkan. However, asalkan means 'provided that' and focuses on the condition itself, whereas selama focuses on the temporal duration of that condition. For example, 'I will go as long as you pay' is better translated with asalkan if the focus is the payment, but selama if the focus is the continuous state of you paying for things. Lastly, ketika is the standard 'when.' While selama implies a period, ketika usually implies a point in time, though the two overlap significantly in casual speech. By choosing between these words, you can signal whether you are being casual, poetic, precise, or emphatic about the time you are describing.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The root 'lama' can mean both 'long (time)' and 'old (objects)'. For example, 'teman lama' means 'old friend'. Adding 'se-' transforms this adjective of age/duration into a preposition of time.

발음 가이드

UK /səˈla.ma/

US /səˈlɑ.mɑ/

The stress is typically on the second syllable 'la'.

라임이 맞는 단어

agama sama drama utama pertama sesama irama ulama

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing the first 'e' like the 'e' in 'bed' (it should be a schwa).
Over-emphasizing the final 'a' so it sounds like 'may'.
Confusing it with 'selamat' and adding a 't' sound at the end.
Pronouncing 'la' like 'lay'.
Speaking too fast and losing the schwa, making it sound like 'slama'.

난이도

독해 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text as it usually precedes numbers or common nouns.

쓰기 2/5

Easy, but learners must avoid redundant 'untuk' or confusing it with 'saat'.

말하기 2/5

Common in daily speech; requires practice with the schwa sound.

듣기 2/5

Can sometimes be shortened to 'slama' or 'lama' in fast speech.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

lama jam hari waktu sudah

다음에 배울 것

sejak ketika sambil sepanjang sementara

고급

tatkala selagi sewaktu-waktu berlangsung

알아야 할 문법

Prepositional placement

Selama + Noun/Duration.

Conjunction usage

Selama + Clause (As long as).

Temporal markers with 'Sudah'

Sudah + [Verb] + selama... (Present perfect duration).

Negation with 'Belum'

Belum + [Verb] + selama... (Negative duration).

Redundancy avoidance

Do not use 'untuk' with 'selama'.

무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

수준별 예문

Saya tidur selama delapan jam.

I slept for eight hours.

Selama + number + time unit.

Dia di Bali selama satu minggu.

He is in Bali for one week.

Simple duration.

Tunggu di sini selama sepuluh menit.

Wait here for ten minutes.

Imperative with duration.

Selama liburan, saya senang.

During the holiday, I am happy.

Selama + event noun.

Kami makan selama satu jam.

We eat for one hour.

Verb + selama + duration.

Hujan turun selama dua hari.

It rained for two days.

Subject + verb + selama + duration.

Selama kelas, jangan berisik.

During class, don't be noisy.

Selama + event + negative command.

Saya belajar selama tiga bulan.

I studied for three months.

Standard duration pattern.

Dia sudah bekerja di sini selama lima tahun.

He has worked here for five years.

Sudah + verb + selama.

Selama ini, saya pikir kamu di Jakarta.

All this time, I thought you were in Jakarta.

Idiomatic 'selama ini'.

Selama musim hujan, udara sangat dingin.

During the rainy season, the air is very cold.

Selama + seasonal noun.

Kamu boleh pinjam buku ini selama dua hari.

You may borrow this book for two days.

Permission + duration.

Selama dia sakit, dia tidak masuk kantor.

As long as he was sick, he didn't go to the office.

Selama + state clause.

Jangan pergi selama saya belum kembali.

Don't go as long as I haven't returned.

Selama + negative clause.

Mereka tinggal di hotel selama renovasi rumah.

They stayed in a hotel during the house renovation.

Selama + noun phrase.

Saya akan menunggumu selama apa pun.

I will wait for you for however long.

Selama + indefinite pronoun.

Selama perjalanan ke Eropa, kami mengunjungi lima negara.

During the trip to Europe, we visited five countries.

Selama + complex noun phrase.

Selama rapat berlangsung, tidak ada yang boleh keluar.

While the meeting is taking place, no one is allowed to leave.

Selama + noun + berlangsung.

Dia merasa kesepian selama tinggal di luar negeri.

He felt lonely during his time living abroad.

Selama + verbal noun phrase.

Selama pemerintah tidak bertindak, masalah ini akan berlanjut.

As long as the government doesn't act, this problem will continue.

Selama as a conditional conjunction.

Kita harus tetap waspada selama masa pandemi.

We must remain vigilant during the pandemic period.

Selama + masa (period) + noun.

Selama ini kita salah sangka terhadap dia.

All this time we have misunderstood him.

Idiomatic 'selama ini' in a complete sentence.

Film itu diputar selama tiga jam tanpa henti.

The movie was shown for three hours without stopping.

Passive verb + selama + duration.

Selama hidupnya, dia banyak membantu orang miskin.

During his life, he helped many poor people.

Selama + possessive noun.

Selama proses negosiasi, kedua belah pihak tetap tenang.

During the negotiation process, both parties remained calm.

Formal noun phrase.

Selama tidak ada bukti kuat, dia tidak bisa ditahan.

As long as there is no strong evidence, he cannot be detained.

Conditional usage in legal context.

Selama berabad-abad, candi ini terkubur di bawah tanah.

For centuries, this temple was buried underground.

Selama + ber- prefixed time unit (plurality).

Selama masa jabatannya, ekonomi tumbuh pesat.

During his term of office, the economy grew rapidly.

Professional temporal marker.

Kita bisa mencapai target selama kita bekerja sama.

We can reach the target as long as we work together.

Conjunction for collaboration.

Selama bertahun-tahun, dia menyimpan rahasia itu.

For years, he kept that secret.

Emphasis on long duration.

Selama konferensi pers, wartawan mengajukan banyak pertanyaan.

During the press conference, journalists asked many questions.

Specific professional event.

Selama persidangan, saksi memberikan keterangan yang jujur.

During the trial, the witness provided honest testimony.

Legal context.

Selama hayat dikandung badan, aku akan terus berjuang.

As long as life is contained in the body (as long as I live), I will keep fighting.

Classical/poetic idiom.

Selama transisi demokrasi, banyak gejolak sosial terjadi.

During the democratic transition, much social upheaval occurred.

Sociopolitical analysis.

Selama tidak bertentangan dengan hukum, rencana ini bisa dijalankan.

As long as it does not conflict with the law, this plan can be executed.

Formal conditional clause.

Selama kurun waktu tersebut, teknologi berkembang sangat masif.

During that period of time, technology developed very massively.

Academic phrasing 'kurun waktu'.

Selama eksistensinya, organisasi ini telah banyak berkontribusi.

Throughout its existence, this organization has contributed much.

Abstract noun usage.

Selama penantian yang panjang, dia tetap setia.

During the long wait, she remained faithful.

Literary narrative style.

Selama penyelidikan berlangsung, tersangka dilarang keluar negeri.

While the investigation is ongoing, the suspect is prohibited from going abroad.

Legal/Administrative nuance.

Selama wacana itu masih bergulir, kita harus tetap kritis.

As long as that discourse is still rolling (ongoing), we must remain critical.

Intellectual/Philosophical register.

Selama nalar masih bertahta, kebenaran akan selalu dicari.

As long as reason still reigns, truth will always be sought.

Highly metaphorical/philosophical.

Selama konstelasi politik belum berubah, kebijakan ini akan tetap stagnan.

As long as the political constellation hasn't changed, this policy will remain stagnant.

High-level political analysis.

Selama fajar belum menyingsing, harapan itu masih ada.

As long as the dawn has not yet broken, that hope still exists.

Poetic/Archaic structure.

Selama mekanisme pasar tetap bebas, kompetisi akan terus terjadi.

As long as the market mechanism remains free, competition will continue to occur.

Economic theory register.

Selama integritas dipertaruhkan, tidak ada kompromi yang mungkin.

As long as integrity is at stake, no compromise is possible.

Ethical/Formal discourse.

Selama dialektika ini berlanjut, pemahaman kita akan semakin dalam.

As long as this dialectic continues, our understanding will deepen.

Academic/Philosophical.

Selama supremasi hukum ditegakkan, keadilan akan terjamin.

As long as the supremacy of law is upheld, justice will be guaranteed.

Legal-political terminology.

Selama kedaulatan rakyat dihormati, negara akan stabil.

As long as people's sovereignty is respected, the country will be stable.

Constitutional/Statecraft register.

자주 쓰는 조합

selama ini

selama mungkin

selama hidup

selama perjalanan

selama masa

selama proses

selama bertahun-tahun

selama berjam-jam

selama berada di

selama berlangsungnya

자주 쓰는 구문

selama persediaan masih ada

— As long as supplies last. Common in marketing and shops.

Diskon ini berlaku selama persediaan masih ada.

selama hayati masih dikandung badan

— As long as I am still alive. A formal and poetic way to express life-long commitment.

Aku akan mencintaimu selama hayati masih dikandung badan.

selama belum terlambat

— As long as it's not too late. Used to urge action.

Mintalah maaf selama belum terlambat.

selama masih bisa

— As long as one still can. Encourages taking opportunity.

Bantulah orang lain selama masih bisa.

selama tidak mengganggu

— As long as it doesn't disturb. Sets a condition for behavior.

Kamu boleh main di sini selama tidak mengganggu.

selama dalam pengawasan

— As long as under supervision. Common in safety instructions.

Anak-anak boleh berenang selama dalam pengawasan orang tua.

selama kurun waktu

— During the period of time. Formal and academic.

Selama kurun waktu sepuluh tahun, kota ini berubah.

selama sekejap mata

— For the blink of an eye. Usually used ironically to mean 'hardly at all'.

Dia hanya di sini selama sekejap mata.

selama satu harian

— For a whole day. Emphasizes the length of the day.

Saya bekerja selama satu harian penuh.

selama-lamanya

— Forever / for the longest possible time.

Dia akan pergi untuk selama-lamanya.

자주 혼동되는 단어

selama vs saat

'Saat' is a point in time (when), 'selama' is a duration (during).

selama vs sejak

'Sejak' is the starting point (since), 'selama' is the total span (for).

selama vs selamat

'Selamat' means safe or congratulations; don't add the 't'!

관용어 및 표현

"selama ini"

— All this time / up until now. Used to express realization.

Selama ini aku salah menilaimu.

neutral

"selama-lamanya"

— Forever. Used in romantic or religious contexts.

Cintaku padamu untuk selama-lamanya.

neutral/romantic

"selama hayat dikandung badan"

— Until death. A very formal idiom for lifelong vows.

Berbakti pada negara selama hayat dikandung badan.

literary

"selama janur kuning belum melengkung"

— As long as the yellow coconut leaf hasn't bent (as long as someone isn't married yet).

Masih ada kesempatan selama janur kuning belum melengkung.

cultural/slang

"selama masih ada umur"

— As long as there is still life/age. Similar to 'while I'm alive'.

Saya akan terus berkarya selama masih ada umur.

neutral

"selama dunia masih berputar"

— As long as the world still turns. Meaning 'forever'.

Kebohongan tidak akan menang selama dunia masih berputar.

rhetorical

"selama darah masih mengalir"

— As long as blood still flows. Expressing determination.

Kita akan melawan selama darah masih mengalir.

heroic

"selama masih bernapas"

— As long as still breathing. Used for persistence.

Jangan menyerah selama masih bernapas.

neutral

"selama mentari masih bersinar"

— As long as the sun still shines. Poetic for 'always'.

Harapan itu ada selama mentari masih bersinar.

poetic

"selama lidah belum kelu"

— As long as the tongue isn't stiff (as long as I can still speak).

Aku akan menyuarakan kebenaran selama lidah belum kelu.

literary

혼동하기 쉬운

selama vs sedang

Both relate to ongoing actions.

'Sedang' is a verb marker for 'is/are -ing', while 'selama' is a preposition for duration. You cannot use 'selama' to mean 'currently doing'.

Saya sedang makan (I am eating) vs Saya makan selama satu jam (I eat for one hour).

selama vs ketika

Both can translate to 'when' in some contexts.

'Ketika' focuses on the moment something happens. 'Selama' focuses on the period it continues.

Ketika dia datang (When he arrived) vs Selama dia di sini (While he was here).

selama vs sementara

Both can mean 'while'.

'Sementara' often implies a contrast between two actions or a temporary state. 'Selama' is purely about duration.

Saya membaca sementara dia menulis.

selama vs sepanjang

Both mean 'throughout'.

'Sepanjang' is more emphatic about the whole length (literal or temporal) and is often used with 'hari' or 'jalan'.

Sepanjang hari (All day long).

selama vs selagi

Both mean 'as long as'.

'Selagi' usually implies 'while the opportunity exists'. 'Selama' is a neutral temporal condition.

Selagi ada waktu, belajarlah.

문장 패턴

[Subject] + [Verb] + selama + [Time]

Saya tidur selama 8 jam.

Selama + [Event], [Clause]

Selama liburan, saya senang.

Selama ini, [Subject] + [Verb]

Selama ini, saya menunggu kamu.

Selama + [Noun] + berlangsung, [Clause]

Selama rapat berlangsung, hp dimatikan.

Selama + [Clause (Condition)], [Clause]

Selama kita bersatu, kita akan menang.

Selama + [Abstract Noun], [Clause]

Selama eksistensi alam semesta, energi tetap ada.

[Subject] + belum + [Verb] + selama + [Time]

Dia belum makan selama dua hari.

Selama + [Possessive Noun], [Clause]

Selama hidupnya, dia baik sekali.

어휘 가족

명사

lamanya (the duration/length of time)

동사

melama-lamakan (to delay or prolong something intentionally)

형용사

lama (long time / old / ancient)

사용법

frequency

Extremely frequent, ranked in the top 100 Indonesian words.

자주 하는 실수

Untuk selama tiga jam. → Selama tiga jam.
The word 'untuk' is redundant because 'selama' already means 'for' in the context of duration.
Selama saya sampai di rumah. → Saat saya sampai di rumah.
Arriving (sampai) is a specific point in time, not a duration. Use 'saat' or 'ketika' for points in time.
Saya tinggal di sini sejak dua tahun. → Saya tinggal di sini selama dua tahun.
'Sejak' means 'since' (a start date). 'Selama' means 'for' (a total span).
Selama makan, dia berbicara. → Sambil makan, dia berbicara.
While 'selama' can work, 'sambil' is better when one person is doing two things at the same time.
Saya selama belajar sekarang. → Saya sedang belajar sekarang.
Use 'sedang' for progressive actions (am/is/are -ing). 'Selama' is for the duration of the action.

팁

Avoid Redundancy

Don't say 'untuk selama'. Use 'selama' by itself for durations. Native speakers will find 'untuk' unnecessary.

Root Word

Remember the root 'lama' (long). This will help you remember that 'selama' is about the 'length' of time.

Selama Ini

Memorize 'selama ini' as a single unit meaning 'all this time'. It's a great conversation filler and emotional marker.

Fast Speech

In fast Indonesian, the first 'e' might disappear. Listen for 'slama' or even just a long 'la' sound.

Duration vs Point

Before you speak, ask: Am I talking about a span of time? If yes, use 'selama'. If it's a single moment, use 'saat'.

Formal Contexts

In formal writing, pair 'selama' with 'masa' (period) or 'kurun waktu' (time span) for extra precision.

Eternity

Use 'selama-lamanya' if you want to be very romantic or poetic about forever.

Selama vs Selagi

Use 'selagi' when you mean 'while there's a chance', like 'selagi murah' (while it's cheap).

Arriving

Never say 'selama saya datang'. Arriving is a point in time. Say 'saat saya datang'.

Daily Log

Try to describe your day in durations: 'Saya tidur selama...', 'Saya bekerja selama...'. Great for A1 practice.

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'lama' as a 'Llama' that is very long. 'Selama' is the time you spend riding that long llama. Selama = For a long time.

시각적 연상

Visualize a long measuring tape labeled 'TIME'. The tape is stretched out between two events. That stretch is 'selama'.

Word Web

Lama (Long) Jam (Hour) Hari (Day) Minggu (Week) Tahun (Year) Masa (Period) Liburan (Holiday) Rapat (Meeting)

챌린지

Try to write three sentences about your last vacation using 'selama' in each one: one for the total duration, one for an event during the trip, and one using 'selama ini'.

어원

Derived from the root word 'lama', which is of Austronesian origin. In many related languages, 'lama' refers to length, specifically in the temporal sense. The prefix 'se-' in Indonesian often denotes 'as... as' or 'one/same'. Thus, 'selama' literally means 'as long as'.

원래 의미: As long as / the same length as.

Austronesian -> Malayo-Polynesian -> Western Malayo-Polynesian -> Malay/Indonesian.

문화적 맥락

No specific sensitivities, 'selama' is a neutral temporal marker.

English speakers often try to use 'untuk' where 'selama' should be. Remember: 'For 3 hours' is just 'Selama 3 jam', not 'Untuk 3 jam'.

Lagu 'Selama Selamanya' by various artists. The phrase 'Selama hayat dikandung badan' in the Indonesian National Oath/ideology contexts. Common movie titles involving 'Selama' to denote long-term romance.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Travel

Selama di pesawat
Selama liburan
Selama satu minggu
Selama perjalanan

Work

Selama jam kerja
Selama rapat
Selama kontrak
Selama proyek

Education

Selama kuliah
Selama ujian
Selama pelajaran
Selama istirahat

Health

Selama sakit
Selama perawatan
Selama hamil
Selama operasi

Relationships

Selama ini
Selama hidup
Selama mencintaimu
Selama kita bersama

대화 시작하기

"Berapa lama kamu akan tinggal di Indonesia? (Selama...)"

"Apa yang biasanya kamu lakukan selama akhir pekan?"

"Di mana kamu berada selama pandemi tahun lalu?"

"Selama ini, apa hobi favoritmu yang orang lain tidak tahu?"

"Apa tantangan terbesar bagimu selama belajar bahasa Indonesia?"

일기 주제

Tuliskan tentang pengalamanmu selama liburan terakhir. Apa yang paling berkesan?

Apa saja perubahan yang kamu alami selama lima tahun terakhir dalam hidupmu?

Deskripsikan rutinitasmu selama hari kerja. Berapa lama kamu bekerja?

Bayangkan kamu tinggal di hutan selama satu bulan. Apa yang akan kamu bawa?

Refleksikan apa yang telah kamu pelajari selama belajar bahasa Indonesia sejauh ini.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, 'selama' is strictly for time. For distance, use 'sepanjang' or 'sejauh'. For example, 'Sepanjang jalan ini' (Along this road).

It is neutral and used in all registers. However, in very casual speech, people might shorten it to 'slama'.

'Selama' means during/for. 'Selama-lamanya' is an intensive form meaning 'forever' or 'for the longest possible time'.

It's better to avoid it. 'Selama' already means 'for' in a temporal sense. 'Untuk' is usually redundant here.

Use the fixed phrase 'selama ini'. It's very common and idiomatic.

Yes, it almost always precedes the duration or event it describes.

Yes, when used as a conjunction. E.g., 'Selama kamu di sini, aku aman' (As long as you are here, I am safe).

'Sejak' is 'since' (start point), 'selama' is 'for' (total duration). 'Sejak jam 2' (Since 2 o'clock) vs 'Selama 2 jam' (For 2 hours).

Yes, you can say 'selama [Subject] [Verb]', which means 'while [Subject] was [Verbing]'.

No. 'Selama' comes from 'lama' (long time). 'Selamat' comes from an Arabic root meaning safety/peace. They are unrelated.

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