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Walaupun matahari terik, aliran sungai kecil itu masih sejuk.

Walaupun matahari terik, aliran sungai kecil itu masih sejuk.
Although the sun is scorching, the stream’s flow is still cool.
FromLesson 18inHardcore Malay
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Questions & Answers about Walaupun matahari terik, aliran sungai kecil itu masih sejuk.

What does walaupun mean and how is it used in this sentence?
Walaupun means although or even though. It’s a conjunction introducing a concessive clause. Here it connects the fact that matahari terik (“the sun is scorching”) with the surprising result that the river flow remains cool.
Why is there no verb like “is” after matahari?
Malay often uses verbless clauses to describe states. Instead of “the sun is scorching,” you simply say matahari terik (“sun scorching”). The copula adalah or an equivalent “to be” is usually omitted in such descriptive contexts.
What part of speech is terik, and why does it come after matahari?
Terik is an adjective meaning scorching or blazing. In Malay, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify, so matahari terik literally reads “sun scorching.”
What is the difference between aliran and sungai, and why are they both used here?
Sungai means river, while aliran means flow or stream. Aliran sungai kecil itu highlights the movement or flow of that little river—more like “the current of the small river.”
Why is itu placed at the end of aliran sungai kecil itu?
Itu is a demonstrative meaning that. In Malay noun phrases, adjectives come first (here kecil “small”), and the demonstrative follows: sungai kecil itu (“that small river”). Adding aliran before sungai specifies we’re talking about its flow.
What does masih do in this sentence?
Masih means still, indicating a continuing state. Masih sejuk tells us that despite the hot sun, the water remains cool.
Could you replace the comma with a word like tetapi or namun?

Yes. You could say:

  • Walaupun matahari terik, aliran sungai kecil itu masih sejuk. (original)
  • Matahari terik, tetapi aliran sungai kecil itu masih sejuk. (using tetapi)
  • Walaupun matahari terik namun aliran sungai kecil itu masih sejuk. (using namun)
    However, using walaupun plus tetapi in one sentence is redundant.
Is the word order flexible here, or must it always be exactly like this?

The basic order—concessive clause + comma + main clause—can be swapped:
Aliran sungai kecil itu masih sejuk walaupun matahari terik.
But the original order emphasizes the contrast more directly. The noun-adjective order (e.g., sungai kecil) and the placement of itu after the noun phrase are not usually changed.

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