melainkan
Melainkan is a conjunction in Indonesian and Malay that means “but rather” or “instead.” It is used to correct a statement by introducing an alternative or more accurate element, often after a negation. In practice, melainkan contrasts the first clause with a second clause that presents the true situation.
- tidak A, melainkan B (not A, but B)
The second clause may have a different subject from the first. Examples: “Saya tidak makan nasi, melainkan
- Melainkan is more formal or written; in everyday speech, speakers often use saja, tetapi, or namun
- The negation in the first clause is essential for melainkan to function; without a negation, the
- The second clause introduced by melainkan can be noun phrases, verb phrases, or a full clause,
- Melainkan often carries a stronger corrective force than but or yet; it explicitly states what is
In sum, melainkan is a key linguistic tool for precise correction in negated statements, used across