B1 · Intermediate Chapter 31

Conditional Sentences

4 Total Rules
1 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock the power of 'what if' to express your dreams and plans clearly in Indonesian.

  • Distinguish between informal 'kalau' and formal 'jika' to sound like a local.
  • Construct hypothetical scenarios using 'seandainya' for dreams and wishes.
  • Link conditions to results using proper markers like 'maka' and 'akan'.
Mastering the logic of possibility and imagination.

What You'll Learn

Covers 'kalau' and 'jika' for hypothetical situations. Explains how to frame conditions and consequences.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to use 'kalau' to discuss daily plans and casual conditions.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to apply 'jika' in formal writing or professional emails.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to formulate hypothetical 'what if' statements for unlikely events.
  4. 4
    By the end you will be able to connect conditions to their logical consequences using 'maka'.

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Keep it simple

Don't worry about complex verb tenses. Just state the condition and the result.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Conditional 'Kalau'
💡

Comma usage

Always use a comma if the 'Jika' clause comes first. It makes your writing look professional.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Conditional 'Jika'
💡

Keep it simple

Don't try to conjugate verbs. Just use the base form. The particle does the work for you.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Hypothetical Situations
🎯

The 'Kalo' Shortcut

In 99% of spoken situations, use 'kalo'. It makes you sound natural and less like a textbook.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Consequences

Key Vocabulary (7)

kalau if (informal) jika if (formal) seandainya if only / suppose maka then / so kemungkinan possibility impian dream hasil result

Real-World Preview

map

Planning a Weekend Trip

briefcase

Job Interview Questions

Review Summary

  • Kalau + [Condition], [Result]
  • Jika + [Condition], [Result]
  • Seandainya + [Impossible Condition], [Result]
  • [Condition clause], maka [Result clause]

Common Mistakes

In Indonesian, 'kapan' is only for questions. To say 'when/if' as a condition, use 'kalau' or 'ketika'.

Wrong: Kapan saya lapar, saya makan. (When I am hungry, I eat.)
Correct: Kalau saya lapar, saya makan. (If I am hungry, I eat.)

Native speakers often forget the comma before 'maka'. In formal writing, the comma is essential for readability.

Wrong: Jika hujan maka kita tidak pergi. (If it rains then we don't go.)
Correct: Jika hujan, maka kita tidak pergi. (If it rains, then we don't go.)

While 'adalah' is a literal translation of 'is/am/are', using 'jadi' (become) is much more natural in hypothetical Indonesian conditionals.

Wrong: Seandainya saya adalah kamu... (If I were you...)
Correct: Seandainya saya jadi kamu... (If I were you...)

Next Steps

You've just unlocked the ability to talk about things that haven't happened yet! This is a huge step in your B1 journey. Keep practicing those 'what ifs'!

Write 5 'what if' sentences about winning the lottery.

Practice saying your weekend plans aloud using 'kalau'.

Continue to: Reported Speech

Quick Practice (10)

Fill in the blank with the correct word.

___ kamu lapar, makanlah.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jika
Jika is the correct conditional marker.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Conditional 'Jika'

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Saya pikir kalau dia baik.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Saya pikir bahwa dia baik.
Use 'bahwa' for 'that'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Conditional 'Kalau'

Fill in the blank with the correct particle.

___ kamu lapar, makanlah.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Kalau
It's a condition.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Hypothetical Situations

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Seandainya saya adalah burung, saya terbang.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Seandainya saya burung, saya terbang.
No need for 'adalah'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Hypothetical Situations

Choose the correct sentence.

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jika hujan, saya tidak pergi.
The comma is necessary when the clause is at the start.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Conditional 'Jika'

Choose the correct formal sentence.

Which one is correct for a business email?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jika Bapak berkenan, saya akan mengirimkan berkas tersebut.
'Jika' and 'berkenan' are formal markers suitable for business.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Consequences

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word (Kalau, Seandainya, Asalkan).

___ saya punya sayap, saya akan terbang ke bulan.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Seandainya
Flying to the moon with wings is imaginary, so 'Seandainya' is best.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Consequences

Select the formal option.

Which is formal?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Jika
Jika is formal.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Hypothetical Situations

Choose the correct sentence.

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Saya pergi kalau hujan.
Kalau is the correct conditional particle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Conditional 'Kalau'

Find the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Jika saya akan pergi, saya akan senang.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Remove 'akan' in the first clause
Future markers are redundant in the condition clause.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Conditional 'Jika'

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

No, 'Kalau' must introduce the condition. It can be in the middle or start, but not the end.
No, it's neutral/informal. Use 'Jika' for formal writing.
No, that is redundant. Choose one based on the formality of your situation.
Only if the 'Jika' clause comes at the beginning of the sentence.
No, Indonesian verbs are invariant. Just use the base form.
Yes, in casual texting, but avoid it in formal writing.
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Advanced Passive Constructions
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Reported Speech
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