kenapa

Kenapa is an Indonesian and Malay interrogative word meaning "why" or "for what reason." It is commonly used to ask about the cause, purpose, or explanation for a situation. The word is prevalent in everyday speech and informal writing, while its formal counterpart is mengapa.

Usage and formality: Kenapa typically appears at the beginning of a question, as in "Kenapa kamu tidak datang kemarin?" It can also appear mid-sentence in casual constructions, such as "Kamu tidak datang, kenapa?" The form kenapalah, with the suffix -lah, adds emphasis or a sense of exasperation: "Kenapalah kau tidak memberitahuku." In formal contexts, mengapa is preferred.

Regional and stylistic notes: Kenapa is widely used across Indonesia and Malaysia and is understood by speakers of both languages. The choice between kenapa and mengapa often reflects register and audience: kenapa for informal conversation, mengapa for formal writing, journalism, or official speech.

Etymology and overview: The precise historical origin of kenapa is not clearly documented in standard references. It is generally treated as an informal variant of mengapa, valued for its brevity and directness in spoken language.

See also: Mengapa, Apa, Question words. Examples illustrate usage: "Kenapa dia memutuskan itu?" or "Mengapa kita perlu belajar bahasa?" Kenapa remains a common, flexible tool for seeking explanations in everyday Indonesian and Malay.