begini, begitu, and demikian: Manner Pro-forms | Indonesian Grammar

Begini, begitu, and demikian can stand in for a manner: “like this,” “like that,” or “in that way.” Their distance is not only physical. Begini can point to what the speaker is showing or about to explain, begitu can refer to a more distant or already mentioned way, and demikian carries the anaphoric meaning into formal discourse.

This page focuses on manner and discourse pro-forms in contemporary Standard Indonesian. It leaves demonstrative noun phrases, temporal begitu “as soon as,” and conversational backchannel Oh, begitu to dedicated adjacent pages.

For forms that point to things rather than manners, see the noun-phrase demonstratives ini and itu.

begini: a proximal or presented manner

Use begini when the manner is close to the speaker's current demonstration or about to be presented. A speaker can perform an action while saying begini, or use it to open an explanation.

Lipat ujung kertasnya begini, lalu masukkan ke celah ini.

Fold the corner of the paper like this, then insert it into this slot.

Begini caranya: tekan tombol hijau selama tiga detik.

Here's how: press the green button for three seconds.

Begini masalahnya: dana sudah tersedia, tetapi izinnya belum terbit.

Here is the problem: the funds are available, but the permit has not been issued.

The first begini points to a visible action. The next two extend physical closeness into discourse: the speaker places an explanation “here” for the listener to inspect.

Begini caranya can also stand as a complete sentence before the steps follow:

Begini caranya. Pertama, buka penutupnya dengan perlahan.

This is how. First, open the cover slowly.

The colon in Begini caranya: tekan ... introduces material that explains the preceding presentation. A period is appropriate when Begini caranya is complete and the procedure begins as a new sentence.

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Think of begini as “the manner I am placing before you now,” whether the demonstration is physical or verbal.

begitu: distal or anaphoric manner

Use begitu for a way located away from the speaker, a behavior the speaker rejects or comments on, or a manner already established in the conversation.

Jangan begitu; pegang gelasnya dengan kedua tangan.

Don't do it like that; hold the glass with both hands.

Mengapa kamu menaruh tasnya begitu? Talinya bisa rusak.

Why did you put the bag like that? Its strap could get damaged.

Pelatih menunjukkan gerakannya sekali, lalu kami melakukannya begitu.

The coach demonstrated the movement once, and then we did it that way.

In the third sentence, begitu is anaphoric: it retrieves the manner just demonstrated. The distance is in discourse, not necessarily physical space.

Jangan begitu is a complete predicate-like command. It does not mean “don't that”; it means “don't act/do it in that way.” English this/that hides the difference between pointing to a thing and pointing to a manner.

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Begitu retrieves or points toward a manner. For a noun such as “that book,” Indonesian uses a noun-phrase demonstrative instead.

demikian: the formal anaphoric choice

Demikian also means “thus,” “so,” or “in that way,” but it is characteristic of official statements, reports, presentations, and careful prose (formal). It is not the neutral everyday spoken replacement for every begitu.

Saya melakukannya demikian.

I do it in that manner. (formal)

Prosedurnya demikian: pemohon mengisi formulir, melampirkan dokumen, lalu menunggu verifikasi.

The procedure is as follows: the applicant fills out the form, attaches the documents, and then waits for verification. (formal)

Jika data tidak lengkap, permohonan akan ditunda. Demikian ketentuan yang berlaku.

If the data are incomplete, the application will be postponed. Such is the applicable rule. (formal)

The required sentence Saya melakukannya demikian is grammatical but deliberately formal. In ordinary conversation, Saya melakukannya begitu is the natural counterpart.

Saya melakukannya begitu karena itu yang diajarkan teknisi.

I do it that way because that is what the technician taught me.

Register is part of the meaning. Demikian presents the referenced manner as part of an organized account, while begitu is at home in spontaneous neutral speech.

Predicate use

All three forms can occur where a predicate or predicate complement is expected. The subject names the procedure, condition, or behavior; the pro-form supplies what it is like.

Caranya begini: putar kuncinya ke kiri.

The way to do it is this: turn the key to the left.

Sikapnya begitu sejak usulnya ditolak.

His attitude has been like that since his proposal was rejected.

Urutan pemeriksaannya demikian.

The examination sequence is as follows. (formal)

No copula corresponding to English is is required. Caranya begini directly relates the topic “the method” to the presented manner.

Clause-initial presentation

At the beginning of a clause, begini often introduces what comes next, while demikian summarizes or presents an official formulation. Begitu more often looks back to an established manner, although context can place it initially too.

Begini saya menjelaskannya kepada pelanggan: biaya awal dibayar setelah kontrak ditandatangani.

This is how I explain it to customers: the initial fee is paid after the contract is signed.

Demikian kami menilai hasil pemeriksaan tersebut.

That is how we assess the results of that examination. (formal)

The forms are integrated into the clause, so do not add a comma automatically after them. A colon is appropriate when a complete presentation such as Begini masalahnya or Prosedurnya demikian introduces an explanation or list.

begitu juga and demikian juga

Begitu juga means “likewise,” “the same goes for,” or “so too.” It extends a previously mentioned property or situation to another participant. Demikian juga has the same discourse function in a more formal register.

Rina suka bekerja pagi-pagi. Begitu juga adiknya.

Rina likes working early in the morning. Her younger sibling does too.

Biaya bahan meningkat. Begitu juga biaya pengiriman.

Material costs have increased. Shipping costs have as well.

Kualitas udara menurun pada musim kemarau. Demikian juga kualitas air di beberapa wilayah.

Air quality declines in the dry season. The same is true of water quality in several areas. (formal)

Here juga adds a second case, while begitu/demikian retrieves the content to be repeated. The combination is therefore more than a word-for-word “that also.”

A formal closing versus an everyday closing

Official correspondence often closes with demikian to summarize the act of reporting or submitting the letter:

Demikian laporan ini kami sampaikan. Atas perhatian Bapak/Ibu, kami ucapkan terima kasih.

We hereby submit this report. Thank you for your attention. (formal)

The formula is appropriate in institutional letters and formal announcements. It would sound stiff in a message to a friend. An everyday closing uses direct conversational language:

Itu saja kabar dari saya. Sampai nanti.

That's all my news. See you later. (informal)

This contrast shows that demikian marks register as well as anaphoric manner.

Spelling

Write begini, begitu, and demikian as one word each. Attach -nya to its host: caranya, masalahnya, prosedurnya, melakukannya. Do not split melakukannya merely because English uses several words.

Common Mistakes

1. Using a manner pro-form for a noun demonstrative

❌ Begini buku milik saya.

Incorrect for 'this book is mine' — begini points to manner, not a book.

✅ Buku ini milik saya.

This book is mine.

2. Translating don't do that with a bare demonstrative

❌ Jangan itu.

Incorrect for a prohibition about someone's manner or behavior.

✅ Jangan begitu.

Don't do that; don't behave like that.

3. Using demikian as the neutral conversational choice

❌ Aku demikian lelah setelah perjalanan tadi.

Wrong register for ordinary conversation — demikian sounds formal or elevated here.

✅ Aku sangat lelah setelah perjalanan tadi.

I am very tired after the journey.

4. Adding a presentation comma where a colon is needed

❌ Begini, caranya tekan tombol merah.

Incorrect punctuation and structure for introducing the procedure.

✅ Begini caranya: tekan tombol merah.

Here's how: press the red button.

Key Takeaways

Begini presents a nearby, demonstrated, or upcoming manner.
Begitu points to a distal, criticized, or previously established manner.
Demikian is the formal anaphoric option, especially in reports and official closings.
Predicate and presentation uses need no copula; a colon can introduce the explanation that follows.
Write each pro-form solid and attach -nya in forms such as caranya and melakukannya.

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