akan in 30 Seconds
- The word 'akan' is the primary future tense marker in Indonesian, equivalent to 'will' or 'shall' in English, used across all levels of formality.
- It is always placed before the verb or adjective and does not change its form regardless of the subject (I, you, they, etc.).
- To say 'will not', use the phrase 'tidak akan'. Never put 'tidak' after 'akan'. This is a key rule for clear communication.
- While 'akan' is standard, casual speech often uses 'mau' or 'bakal' as alternatives for 'going to' in everyday planning and conversation.
In the Indonesian language, the word akan serves as a fundamental building block for expressing the future. Unlike English, which utilizes complex verb conjugations to indicate tense, Indonesian relies on auxiliary words or particles. Akan is the primary marker used to indicate that an action has not yet occurred but is intended or expected to happen in the future. It is the direct equivalent of the English words 'will' or 'shall'. Whether you are planning a trip, predicting the weather, or making a promise, akan is the linguistic tool that bridges the present moment with the time yet to come.
- Core Function
- To mark the future tense without changing the base form of the verb. It indicates certainty or a high degree of intention regarding a future event.
The beauty of akan lies in its simplicity. In Indonesian grammar, verbs remain static. To change the time of an action, you simply place akan before the verb. This makes Indonesian particularly accessible for English speakers once they grasp the concept of 'aspect' rather than 'tense'. While akan is common in all forms of communication, its usage can vary slightly depending on the level of formality. In formal writing, such as news reports or academic essays, akan is indispensable. In very casual speech, it is sometimes shortened or replaced, but it remains the gold standard for clear future-oriented communication.
Saya akan pergi ke Jakarta besok.
Beyond its role as a future marker, akan also appears in certain formal prepositional contexts, meaning 'about' or 'towards', specifically when expressing emotions. For example, 'cinta akan' (love for/towards) or 'lupa akan' (forget about). However, for a beginner or intermediate learner, the future tense function is by far the most significant. Understanding akan is the first major step in moving beyond the present 'now' and being able to discuss plans, hopes, and upcoming events with Indonesian speakers across the archipelago.
- Placement
- Always placed immediately before the verb or adjective it modifies. It cannot be placed at the end of a sentence like 'will' sometimes can in English tags.
Mereka akan sangat bahagia.
Using akan follows a very predictable pattern: [Subject] + [akan] + [Verb/Adjective]. This consistency is one of the reasons Indonesian is often cited as a logical language for English speakers to learn. There are no irregular future forms to memorize, and the word does not change based on whether the subject is singular, plural, first person, or third person. It acts as a fixed anchor pointing the sentence toward the future.
- Standard Pattern
- Subject + Akan + Action. Example: 'Budi akan makan' (Budi will eat).
When you want to negate a future action—to say something 'will not' happen—you must place the negation word tidak before akan. The resulting phrase tidak akan is the equivalent of 'will not' or 'won't'. It is important to remember the order: negation first, then the future marker. Placing them in the wrong order is a common mistake for beginners, but once you master the 'Tidak Akan' sequence, your ability to express refusal or negative predictions will be much clearer.
Hujan tidak akan turun hari ini.
Furthermore, akan can be combined with other temporal markers to provide more nuance. For example, sedang akan (though rare, more commonly baru akan) can imply that something is 'just about to' happen. However, for most contexts, akan on its own is sufficient to indicate any future timeframe, from five minutes from now to fifty years in the future. In questions, the word order usually remains the same, with a rising intonation at the end of the sentence or the addition of the question word 'Apakah' at the beginning.
- With Adjectives
- 'Akan' can also be used with adjectives to describe a future state. 'Dia akan marah' means 'He will be angry'.
Apakah kamu akan datang?
If you turn on the news in Indonesia, you will hear the word akan constantly. It is the language of reporting, forecasting, and political discourse. News anchors use it to describe upcoming government policies, weather patterns, or scheduled events. Because it carries a tone of certainty and formality, it is the preferred choice for media outlets compared to more colloquial alternatives like 'bakal' or 'mau'.
- News & Media
- Used for announcements: 'Presiden akan berkunjung...' (The President will visit...).
In professional settings, akan is the standard. During business meetings, when discussing project timelines or deliverables, using akan demonstrates a level of professionalism and clarity. It removes ambiguity about when a task is expected to be completed. If a colleague says, 'Saya akan mengirim laporannya,' they are making a formal commitment to send the report. This is slightly more definitive and professional than saying 'Saya mau kirim,' which sounds more like a personal desire or intent.
Pertemuan akan dimulai pukul sembilan pagi.
You will also encounter akan in literature and music. Indonesian pop songs (Indo-pop) frequently use akan to express eternal promises or future longings. Lyrics like 'Aku akan selalu menjagamu' (I will always look after you) are staples of the genre. In these contexts, the word takes on an emotional weight, signifying a pledge that transcends the current moment. Whether in a high-stakes boardroom or a sentimental ballad, akan is the word that connects the speaker's current intent to a future reality.
- Public Announcements
- Standard for arrival/departure times and safety instructions.
Pesawat akan mendarat dalam sepuluh menit.
One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning Indonesian is the misplacement of the negation word. In English, we say 'will not', but in Indonesian, the order is strictly tidak akan. Students often mistakenly say 'akan tidak', which sounds unnatural and is grammatically incorrect. Always remember: the 'no' comes before the 'will'.
- Negation Order
- Wrong: Saya akan tidak pergi. Correct: Saya tidak akan pergi (I will not go).
Another common pitfall is overusing akan in casual conversation. While it is never technically 'wrong', using akan in every sentence when talking to friends can make you sound like a textbook or a news reporter. In informal settings, Indonesians often prefer 'mau' (want/going to) or 'bakal' (going to). For example, 'Aku mau makan' is much more common than 'Aku akan makan' when you're just about to grab lunch with a buddy. Learning when to switch between these words is key to achieving a natural, 'native' flow.
*Saya akan sudah makan. (Incorrect usage with past markers)
English speakers also sometimes try to conjugate the word akan itself or the following verb. Remember: there is no 'akaning', 'akan-ed', or 'akans'. The word is invariant. Similarly, do not add prefixes like 'me-' or 'ber-' to akan. It stands alone as a particle. Lastly, avoid using akan when the future context is already clearly implied by a time adverb, although this is more of a stylistic choice than a hard rule. If you say 'Besok saya pergi' (Tomorrow I go), the 'besok' already does the work of the future tense, and akan becomes optional.
- Redundancy
- In casual speech, if 'besok' (tomorrow) or 'nanti' (later) is used, 'akan' is often dropped to be more efficient.
Dia tidak akan lupa.
While akan is the most standard word for 'will', Indonesian offers several alternatives that carry different nuances and levels of formality. Understanding these can help you better interpret the speaker's intent and level of certainty.
- Akan vs. Mau
- 'Akan' is a neutral future marker (will). 'Mau' literally means 'want', but in daily speech, it is used exactly like 'going to' in English. 'Saya mau pergi' = 'I am going to go'.
Bakal is another common alternative, particularly in Jakarta slang and informal settings. It functions exactly like akan but feels much more casual. If you are hanging out with friends, saying 'Ini bakal seru!' (This is going to be fun!) sounds more natural than using akan. However, you would never see bakal used in a legal document or a formal speech by a government official.
- Akan vs. Hendak
- 'Hendak' is a very formal version of 'akan' or 'want to'. It is often found in classical literature or very high-level formal Indonesian. It implies a strong intention or wish.
Acara itu bakal ramai sekali!
Lastly, there is the word nanti, which means 'later'. While nanti is an adverb of time, it is frequently used in a way that replaces the need for akan. For example, 'Kita makan nanti' (We eat later) is a perfectly valid way to express a future action without using a specific future marker. Choosing between akan, mau, bakal, and hendak depends entirely on who you are talking to and the context of the situation.
- Summary Table
- Akan: Standard/Will. Mau: Intentional/Going to. Bakal: Informal/Gonna. Hendak: Formal Intent.
Fun Fact
The prepositional use of 'akan' (meaning 'about' or 'towards') is actually closer to its historical root than the future tense marker use we see today.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing it like 'aken' (rhyming with taken).
- Confusing it with 'ikan' (fish).
- Nasalizing the 'a' sounds too much.
- Making the 'k' sound too breathy (it should be unaspirated).
- Dropping the final 'n'.
Examples by Level
Saya akan makan.
I will eat.
Simple Subject + Akan + Verb structure.
Dia akan pergi.
He/She will go.
The subject 'dia' is gender-neutral.
Kami akan belajar.
We will study.
'Kami' excludes the listener.
Kamu akan datang?
Will you come?
A simple question using intonation.
Mereka tidak akan tidur.
They will not sleep.
Note the order: 'tidak' + 'akan'.
Ibu akan memasak.
Mother will cook.
'Ibu' can mean mother or a polite form for an older woman.
Budi akan minum air.
Budi will drink water.
Direct object 'air' follows the verb.
Saya tidak akan lupa.
I will not forget.
Common negative future phrase.
Besok akan hujan.
It will rain tomorrow.
'Besok' is the time adverb.
Saya akan membeli baju baru.
I will buy a new shirt.
'Baru' (new) follows the noun 'baju'.
Apakah mereka akan menang?
Will they win?
'Apakah' is a formal question marker.
Dia akan menjadi dokter.
He/She will become a doctor.
'Menjadi' means 'to become'.
Kami akan pindah rumah bulan depan.
We will move house next month.
'Bulan depan' specifies the future time.
Acara itu akan sangat seru.
That event will be very exciting.
'Sangat' (very) modifies the adjective 'seru'.
Kamu akan bertemu siapa?
Who will you meet?
Question word 'siapa' at the end.
Saya akan mencoba lagi.
I will try again.
'Lagi' means 'again'.
Jika hari cerah, kita akan pergi ke pantai.
If the day is clear, we will go to the beach.
Conditional 'Jika... akan...' structure.
Laporan ini akan segera selesai.
This report will be finished soon.
'Segera' means 'soon' or 'immediately'.
Dia berjanji bahwa dia akan membantu.
He promised that he will help.
Use of 'bahwa' (that) to connect clauses.
Buku itu akan diterbitkan tahun ini.
That book will be published this year.
Passive voice 'diterbitkan' with 'akan'.
Siapa yang akan bertanggung jawab?
Who will be responsible?
'Bertanggung jawab' is a compound verb.
Mereka akan mengadakan rapat besok pagi.
They will hold a meeting tomorrow morning.
'Mengadakan' means 'to hold' or 'to organize'.
Saya tidak tahu apa yang akan terjadi.
I don't know what will happen.
'Terjadi' means 'to happen'.
Apakah harga akan naik lagi?
Will the price go up again?
'Naik' means 'to rise' or 'to go up'.
Pemerintah akan menerapkan kebijakan baru.
The government will implement a new policy.
Formal vocabulary: 'menerapkan' (implement), 'kebijakan' (policy).
Investasi ini akan memberikan keuntungan besar.
This investment will provide big profits.
Formal business context.
Kita harus mempertimbangkan apa yang akan dikatakan orang.
We must consider what people will say.
Complex sentence with nested clause.
Teknologi ini akan mengubah cara kita hidup.
This technology will change the way we live.
Abstract future prediction.
Dia tidak akan pernah menyerah pada impiannya.
He will never give up on his dreams.
'Tidak akan pernah' means 'will never'.
Proyek ini akan memakan waktu tiga bulan.
This project will take three months.
'Memakan waktu' is an idiom for 'taking time'.
Apakah Anda akan bersedia membantu kami?
Would you be willing to help us?
'Bersedia' means 'willing'.
Hasilnya akan diumumkan minggu depan.
The results will be announced next week.
Passive voice in formal reporting.
Kita tidak boleh lupa akan jasa para pahlawan.
We must not forget the services of the heroes.
Prepositional use: 'lupa akan' (forget about/the).
Krisis ini akan berdampak luas pada ekonomi global.
This crisis will have a broad impact on the global economy.
High-level analytical language.
Penulis itu akan meluncurkan novel terbarunya bulan ini.
The author will launch their latest novel this month.
'Meluncurkan' (launch) used for products/books.
Keputusan tersebut akan memicu perdebatan sengit.
That decision will trigger a fierce debate.
Metaphorical use: 'memicu' (trigger).
Saya percaya bahwa kebenaran akan selalu menang.
I believe that truth will always win.
Philosophical statement.
Langkah-langkah tersebut akan meminimalisir risiko.
Those steps will minimize the risk.
Technical/professional vocabulary.
Ia sangat rindu akan suasana desa kelahirannya.
He misses the atmosphere of his birthplace village very much.
Prepositional use: 'rindu akan' (longing for).
Perubahan iklim akan memaksa kita untuk beradaptasi.
Climate change will force us to adapt.
Causal relationship with 'memaksa' (force).
Barang siapa melanggar aturan ini akan dikenakan sanksi.
Whoever violates this rule will be subject to sanctions.
Legal/archaic phrasing: 'Barang siapa' (whoever).
Segala puji akan Tuhan yang Maha Esa.
All praise be to God the Almighty.
Formal/religious prepositional use.
Fenomena ini akan terus dikaji oleh para ahli.
This phenomenon will continue to be studied by experts.
Academic passive voice.
Kita harus waspada akan ancaman siber yang kian canggih.
We must be wary of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Prepositional use: 'waspada akan' (wary of).
Kebijakan fiskal tersebut akan menstimulasi pertumbuhan.
That fiscal policy will stimulate growth.
Advanced economic terminology.
Cinta akan tanah air adalah kewajiban setiap warga.
Love for the motherland is the duty of every citizen.
Prepositional use in a patriotic context.
Bagaimana hal ini akan berimplikasi pada masa depan?
How will this implicate the future?
Formal/analytical verb 'berimplikasi'.
Ketidaktahuan akan hukum tidak membebaskan seseorang dari tuntutan.
Ignorance of the law does not exempt someone from prosecution.
Legal maxim using 'akan' as 'of/about'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— The time that is to come; the future.
Kita harus bersiap untuk masa yang akan datang.
— What is going to happen? A common question about future events.
Tidak ada yang tahu apa yang akan terjadi.
— The time will come. Used to express that something is inevitable.
Akan tiba saatnya kamu mengerti.
— It would be better if... Used for suggestions.
Akan lebih baik jika kita berangkat sekarang.
— Who will...? Used to ask for a volunteer or responsible party.
Siapa yang akan membayar tagihan ini?
— Would be very helpful. A polite way to express gratitude or request.
Bantuan Anda akan sangat membantu kami.
— Will be right back. Commonly seen on shop signs.
Maaf, saya akan segera kembali.
— Won't be long. Used to reassure someone about wait times.
Tunggu sebentar, ini tidak akan lama.
Idioms & Expressions
— This is a conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however', rather than a future marker.
Dia kaya, akan tetapi dia tidak sombong.
Formal/Neutral— Prepare the umbrella before it rains. While it doesn't use 'akan' directly, it implies future preparation.
Kita harus menabung, sedia payung sebelum hujan.
Proverb— There is a shrimp behind the stone (hidden motive). Often used when someone 'akan' (will) do something for a secret reason.
Dia tiba-tiba baik, pasti ada udang di balik batu.
Idiomatic— Still waters run deep. Used for people who 'akan' surprise you.
Jangan remehkan dia, air tenang menghanyutkan.
Proverb— The rice has already become porridge (it's too late). The opposite of an 'akan' situation.
Sudahlah, jangan menangis, nasi sudah menjadi bubur.
Idiomatic— Looking for a needle in a haystack. Used for tasks that 'akan' be impossible.
Mencari dia di Jakarta seperti mencari jarum dalam jerami.
Idiomatic— Dig a hole to cover a hole (taking a new debt to pay an old one). A cycle that 'akan' end badly.
Hidupnya susah karena selalu gali lubang tutup lubang.
Idiomatic— The mountain won't run away if chased (don't rush). Uses 'akan' to express a future certainty of something staying put.
Sabar saja, tak akan lari gunung dikejar.
Proverb— Like water on a taro leaf (unstable). Someone who 'akan' change their mind constantly.
Pendiriannya bagai air di daun talas.
Idiomatic— To lick one's own spit (going back on one's word). Doing something you said you 'tidak akan' (will not) do.
Dia akhirnya mau, padahal dulu bilang tidak. Dia menjilat ludah sendiri.
IdiomaticWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'A-KAN' as 'I CAN do it later'. The 'A' stands for After (future).
Visual Association
Imagine a road stretching out into the horizon with a sign that says 'AKAN' pointing forward.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to write five sentences about what you will do tomorrow using 'akan' and five sentences about what you will NOT do using 'tidak akan'.
Word Origin
Derived from Old Malay and has roots in Austronesian languages. It originally had a directional sense.
Original meaning: Towards, for, or in the direction of.
Austronesian -> Malayo-Polynesian.Summary
The word 'akan' is your essential tool for talking about the future in Indonesian. It is invariant, easy to use, and placed directly before the verb. Example: 'Saya akan membantu' (I will help).
- The word 'akan' is the primary future tense marker in Indonesian, equivalent to 'will' or 'shall' in English, used across all levels of formality.
- It is always placed before the verb or adjective and does not change its form regardless of the subject (I, you, they, etc.).
- To say 'will not', use the phrase 'tidak akan'. Never put 'tidak' after 'akan'. This is a key rule for clear communication.
- While 'akan' is standard, casual speech often uses 'mau' or 'bakal' as alternatives for 'going to' in everyday planning and conversation.
