Correlative Constructions in Indonesian

Overview

Correlative constructions use paired connectors to link two related ideas. Indonesian has several distinctive pairs: semakin...semakin (the more...the more), baik...maupun (both...and), bukan hanya...tetapi juga (not only...but also), and entah...entah (whether...or). These structures add sophistication to both speech and writing.

Correlative constructions are especially useful in argumentation, comparison, and formal writing. They allow you to express parallel ideas, progressive changes, and inclusive statements with elegance.

How It Works

Common Correlative Pairs

Indonesian	English	Example
semakin...semakin	the more...the more	Semakin belajar semakin pintar.
baik...maupun	both...and	Baik murah maupun bagus.
bukan hanya...tetapi juga	not only...but also	Bukan hanya pintar tetapi juga rajin.
entah...entah	whether...or	Entah pergi entah tinggal.
bukan...melainkan	not...but rather	Bukan malas melainkan sakit.
jangankan...pun	let alone...even	Jangankan mobil, sepeda pun tidak punya.

Semakin...Semakin Patterns

Indonesian	English
Semakin belajar, semakin pintar.	The more you study, the smarter.
Semakin hari, semakin baik.	Day by day, getting better.
Semakin lama, semakin sulit.	The longer, the more difficult.

Bukan Hanya...Tetapi Juga

Indonesian	English
Bukan hanya murah, tetapi juga bagus.	Not only cheap but also good.
Dia bukan hanya pintar tetapi juga ramah.	He is not only smart but also kind.

Examples in Context

Indonesian	English	Note
Semakin belajar semakin pintar.	The more you study, the smarter.	Progressive
Baik murah maupun bagus.	Both cheap and good.	Inclusive pair
Bukan hanya pintar tetapi juga rajin.	Not only smart but also diligent.	Additive emphasis
Entah pergi entah tinggal.	Whether to go or stay.	Alternative pair
Bukan malas melainkan sakit.	Not lazy but rather sick.	Correction
Jangankan berlibur, istirahat saja tidak bisa.	Let alone vacationing, can't even rest.	Emphasis
Semakin lama semakin jauh.	The longer, the farther.	Progressive
Baik tua maupun muda.	Both old and young.	Inclusive
Semakin mahal semakin bagus?	The more expensive the better?	Question
Bukan hanya Indonesia tetapi juga dunia.	Not only Indonesia but also the world.	Scale

Common Mistakes

Using semakin only once

• Wrong: Semakin pintar.
• Right: Semakin belajar, semakin pintar. or Semakin lama semakin pintar.
• Why: The correlative requires the pair — semakin appears in both clauses.

Confusing baik...maupun with bukan...tetapi

• Wrong: Baik pintar tetapi juga rajin.
• Right: Baik pintar maupun rajin. (both...and) or Bukan hanya pintar tetapi juga rajin. (not only...but also)
• Why: Each correlative pair must use its matching components.

Forgetting melainkan with bukan

• Wrong: Bukan malas, tapi sakit.
• Right: Bukan malas, melainkan sakit. (formal) or Bukan malas, tapi sakit. (acceptable in speech)
• Why: In formal writing, bukan...melainkan is the standard corrective pair.

Usage Notes

Semakin...semakin is one of the most expressive and commonly used correlative patterns. It appears in everyday speech, literature, and formal writing. Bukan hanya...tetapi juga is essential for essays and formal arguments. Jangankan...pun is a characteristically Indonesian construction with no direct English equivalent — it emphasizes that even a lesser thing is not possible, let alone the greater one. It is common in both speech and writing.

Practice Tips

1. Create semakin...semakin sentences about changes: Semakin tua semakin bijak. Semakin tinggi semakin dingin. Semakin dekat semakin jelas.
2. Practice bukan hanya...tetapi juga for making strong points: Bukan hanya cantik tetapi juga cerdas. Bukan hanya murah tetapi juga berkualitas.

Related Concepts

• Comparison — the basic comparative structures that correlatives build on