Learn Hardcore Malay: Walaupun masih selesema, tanggungjawab kerja saya tidak ditunda. - Even though I still have a cold, my work responsibilities are not postponed.

walaupun is a subordinating conjunction meaning “although” or “even though.” It introduces a concessive clause (“although I still have a cold”) that contrasts with the main clause (“my work responsibilities are not postponed”).

Can I use meskipun instead of walaupun here?

Yes. meskipun is a near-synonym of walaupun and also means “although.” Both are interchangeable in most contexts, though walaupun is slightly more common in everyday speech.

Why is masih placed before selesema?

masih is an adverb meaning “still.” In Malay, adverbs of time and state typically precede the verb or adjective they modify. Here, masih comes before selesema to mean “still have a cold.”

What exactly does selesema mean? How is it different from flu?

In Malay, selesema covers both the common cold and mild flu symptoms, but it’s often translated simply as “cold.” If you want to emphasize a more severe flu, you can say “demam selesema” or use “influenza” in more formal contexts.

What is tanggungjawab, and why is it written as one word?

tanggungjawab is a compound noun meaning “responsibility.” In standard Malay orthography, many compound nouns are written as one word (e.g., kerjasama for “cooperation”). You may sometimes see tanggung jawab in older texts, but the fused form tanggungjawab is now preferred.

How does the possessive structure work in tanggungjawab kerja saya?

Malay shows possession by placing the noun first and the possessive pronoun or noun phrase afterward. Here, kerja saya means “my work,” so tanggungjawab kerja saya literally reads “the responsibilities of my work” or “my work responsibilities.”

What kind of voice is ditunda, and how is it formed?

ditunda is the passive form of the verb tunda (to postpone). The di- prefix marks passive voice, and the suffix can be omitted or indicated by adding context. So tidak ditunda means “is not postponed.”

Why is it tidak ditunda instead of tidak akan ditunda?

tidak ditunda simply states that it “is not postponed.” Adding akan would shift the meaning to future tense—“will not be postponed.” The original sentence speaks of the present situation, so akan is unnecessary.

Can I reverse the clause order and say Tanggungjawab kerja saya tidak ditunda walaupun masih selesema?

Yes, you can. Malay allows subordinating conjunctions like walaupun to appear in the middle:
Tanggungjawab kerja saya tidak ditunda walaupun masih selesema.
The emphasis changes slightly, but the meaning remains the same.

Could I use an active construction instead, like Saya tidak menunda tanggungjawab kerja saya walaupun masih selesema?

Yes, that’s grammatical. In that active form, menunda is the verb and saya is the subject. The nuance is a bit different:

Passive (tanggungjawab… tidak ditunda) focuses on your responsibilities.
Active (Saya tidak menunda…) highlights your action.
Both convey the same overall idea.