yaitu

Yaitu is a conjunction in Indonesian that functions to clarify or restate a previous statement, roughly translating to “that is,” “namely,” or “i.e.”. It introduces an appositive, a phrase or clause that specifies what was meant by the preceding idea. In formal Indonesian, it helps to make definitions precise and to present items with explicit identification.

Usage and style: Yaitu is commonly found in formal writing, textbooks, dictionaries, academic articles, and legal or official documents. It is typically placed after the term or statement that needs clarification, often preceded by a comma. It can introduce lists or pivotal clarifications, as in examples that set out factors, goals, or risks with precise naming.

Examples:

- Ada tiga faktor utama, yaitu keamanan, efisiensi, dan biaya.

- Tujuan utamanya, yaitu meningkatkan kualitas pendidikan.

- Perusahaan menghadapi risiko utama, yaitu volatilitas pasar dan fluktuasi mata uang.

Nuance and alternatives: Yaitu tends to be more formal than yakni, another conjunction with a similar meaning. While both are used to introduce clarifications, yaitu is common in official or technical language, whereas yakni may appear in slightly less formal contexts. Etymology: the word is believed to be a fixed form derived from a fusion of ya (“yes”) and itu (“that”), now used as a standalone conjunction to mark precise restatement.

See also: Indonesian grammar, appositives, conjunctions.