andai

Andai is a term used in Malay and Indonesian languages that functions primarily as a conditional conjunction, meaning "if" or "in case." It introduces hypothetical or imagined situations and is commonly found in both everyday speech and formal writing. In many contexts, andai can be considered slightly more literary or formal than the everyday kalua, and it is closely related to words such as andaikan, sekiranya, and kalau.

In usage, andai often appears in phrases that set up a condition for a possible outcome. For example, andai aku bisa kembali ke masa lalu, aku tidak akan mengulanginya again. The expression andai kata or andaikan kata further emphasizes conjecture or supposition and is frequently used in poetry, song lyrics, and proverbs to convey wishful thinking or regret. In modern Indonesian, andai retains its conditional sense and can appear at the beginning of a clause or sentence.

Culturally and literarily, andai has a place in classical Malay literature and traditional forms such as syair and pantun, where conditional language is a common device for expressing longing, moral reflection, or fate. In contemporary usage, the term remains common in storytelling and songwriting to articulate unrealized possibilities or alternative outcomes.

See also: kalua, sekiranya, andaikan, andai kata, Malay and Indonesian grammar, Malay poetry. Notes: andai is distinct from its synonyms mainly in tone, with andai often carrying a more formal or literary nuance, while kalua and kalau are more conversational.