sebab

Sebab is a word in Malay and Indonesian that denotes a cause or reason. It functions as a noun naming the source of an event, and as a conjunction introducing a clause that explains why something happened. In Indonesian and Malay, sebab is used in phrases such as "sebab cuaca buruk" (because of bad weather) and "sebab itu" (therefore).

As a verb-related form, sebab appears in derivatives such as "sebabkan" and the more common "menyebabkan," both meaning to cause. This reflects how the concept of causation is expressed in the languages and allows speakers to link events to their outcomes.

Etymology and language: The word is native to the Malayic language family and is widely used across Indonesian and Malay varieties. It has cognates and parallel uses in related languages within the region. It is commonly contrasted with synonyms such as "alasan" (reason) and "kerana" (because), which can carry slightly different shades of meaning or formality.

Usage notes: In formal writing, sebab is a standard way to present causes. In everyday speech, speakers may choose between sebab and kerena/karena depending on regional preference and register. The plural form "sebab-sebab" is used to discuss multiple causes, and "sebabnya" can refer to its specific reason. Overall, sebab remains a versatile and widely understood term for causation in Malay and Indonesian.