kadang

Kadang is an adverb used in Indonesian and Malay to mean sometimes or occasionally. It indicates that an action or situation occurs with irregular frequency rather than regularly.

The more formal or neutral form is kadang-kadang, a reduplication that is common in both languages. In everyday speech, kadang by itself is widely used and understood, especially in informal contexts.

Usage notes: Kadang typically precedes the verb or predicate it modifies, as in saya kadang makan nasi or dia kadang terlambat. It can also appear at the start of a clause for emphasis, e.g., kadang-kadang, dia lupa in some variants, though kadang-kadang is the standard form for such placements. The choice between kadang and kadang-kadang often depends on register and rhythm rather than strict grammar.

Etymology and nuance: Kadang-kadang is a standard reduplicated form in Indonesian and Malay that conveys intermittent or non-regular occurrence. Kadang alone functions similarly but is more common in casual speech. Both forms are understood across Indonesian-speaking and Malay-speaking communities.

See also: related frequency adverbs include sering (often) and jarang (rarely). While kadang relates to occasionality, sering implies regularity and jarang denotes infrequency.