kipun

Kipun is a concessive conjunction used in some Malay and Indonesian varieties to express contrast, roughly equivalent to “even though” or “although.” It introduces a subordinate clause that presents a condition or circumstance that stands in opposition to what is stated in the main clause.

In standard Indonesian, forms such as meskipun or walaupun are more common in formal writing, while kipun appears in certain dialects or more colloquial speech. Usage can vary by region and speaker, and kipun may be perceived as archaic or regional rather than universal Indonesian. In many contexts, kipun functions similarly to other concessive connectors, allowing speakers to acknowledge a counterpoint before delivering a main assertion.

Grammatically, kipun typically precedes the clause it introduces, linking it to the main clause to highlight the counterpoint. It can be used in various sentence positions, but its pairing with a following clause remains the key feature: the clause introduced by kipun presents a condition that does not prevent the action or conclusion stated in the main clause. In everyday language, kipun and meskipun can often substitute for one another, though meskipun generally carries broader acceptance in formal contexts.

See also: meskipun, walaupun, biarpun. The term’s exact frequency and acceptability can differ among speakers, and regional dictionaries may provide varying guidance on its use and register.