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Tak  can be used in the following ways: (Tag Question) Particle:  is it ...? Tak can be used at the end of the sentence to create a yes/no question. Compared to -kah , using tak is more neutral whereas with -kah , it seems to the speaker that the answer would be correct. Other than that, tak can only be used sentences with verbs or adjectives. Tak can also be placed directly after the verb or adjective. Examples : 1. Awak pandai main bola tak?   Are you good at playing football? 2. Tempat itu panas tak?  Is that place hot?  3. Boleh tak saya bermalam di rumah kawan?   May I have a sleepover at my friend's place?  4. Seronok tak dapat bercuti di luar negara?  Are you excited that you'll get to go for a holiday abroad?    Nak + (...) + tak? (Invitation)  Particle:  Do you want to...? Together with nak , this structure can be used to invite the listener to do something. In some sentences, however, it is merely used to ask the list...

Bagi   can be used in the following ways: Verb:  to give Bagi  is the more colloquial counterpart for beri . Bagi does not receive any affixes so it can be used accordingly as the primary verb. If there is an indirect object which would be the receiver, it would follow directly after bagi . Alternatively, kepada may also be used to denote the receiver when the indirect object does not directly follow bagi . Examples : 1. Bagi saya air kosong, satu gelas.     Give me a glass of plain water! 2. Ayah bagi adik duit belanja.   Father gave sister (younger sibling) allowance .  3. Jangan bagi kad pengenalan kepada orang tak kenal.  Do not give your identification card to strangers! 4. Bagitahu cikgu kalau tak sihat.   Tell [lit: give know] me (teacher) if you're not well!   Preposition: (as) for Bagi  can be used to limit the scope of a certain effect or benefit to the identified subject. Examples : 1. Pelajaran ini terlalu susah bag...

Agak   can be used in the following ways: Verb:  to guess, to aproximate, to estimate Agak expresses the idea of approximation based on certain data or merely from guessing. As the primary verb, (meN)agak --> mengagak can be used. Examples : 1. Dia mengagak dia akan berkahwin tak lama lagi.     He expects that he will get married soon.     2. Saya sudah agak.   I knew it. 3. Mereka tak dapat agak perjalanan akan mengambil masa berapa lama.  They didn't manage to estimate how long the journey will take.  4. Agaknya, dia tak suka berkawan dengan orang asing.  I suppose he doesn't like to be friends with foreigners.  Intensifier:  quite, rather Agak  can also be used before adjectives/stative verbs. It is used to express that the topic in question can be considered or described by using the adjective/stative verbs. Examples : 1. Lelaki itu agak pemurah.     That man is quite generous.     2. ...

Suruh  can be used in the following ways: (Causative) Verb:  to order, to command, to ask Suruh  is used to describe the action of ordering others to perform some actions. As a primary verb,  (meN)suruh --> menyuruh  comes before the indirect object which is the person asked to perform the action. If the indirect object is clear from the context, it can be ommitted and suruh  is then followed directly by the action asked to be done. Examples :  1. Dia suruh saya kemaskan bilik dia.      He ordered me to clean up his room.      2. Mak suruh basuh pinggan (se)lepas makan.     Mother asked (you/me) to wash the plates after eating.  3. Daripada buat sendiri, Alia suka menyuruh orang.   Rather than doing it herself, Ali likes to order people around.  4. Jangan buat sesuatu hanya sebab ada orang suruh.   Don't do something just because others asked you to.  5. Siapa suruh main hujan? Te...

Pernah  can be used in the following ways: (Aspect Auxiliary) Verb:  have {experience} Pernah  can precede the primary verb to express that the speaker has had the experience of doing the action in the past. The emphasis of using pernah  is on experience. So it is not used to refer to completed actions in which sudah is used. It is often used together with dulu  [ before ] which can come at the beginning or the end of the sentence. Examples :  1. Saya tak pernah melawat negara Belanda.      I've not visited Netherlands (before).  2. Dia pernah bersekolah di sini dulu.   He used to attend this school before.   3. Dulu, Alia pernah kemalangan. Jadi, dia takut nak bawa kereta sekarang.   Alia once got into an accident. So, she is now afraid to drive a car.  4. Portugis pernah menjajah Melaka dulu.   The Portuguese colonised Malacca before.  5. Awak pernah kena Covid berapa kali?   How many times have ...

Perlu  can be used in the following ways: Verb:  to need  Perlu  is used to express necessity. As a primary verb,  (meN)perlu(kan) --> memerlukan  comes before the direct object which is what the speaker needs. Examples : 1. Dia (meN)perlukan pen.      He needs a pen.      2. Tidak mengapa, saya tidak perlukan pertolongan anda.    It's okay, I don't need your help.  3. Kami memerlukan dana ini untuk menjayakan projek ini.   We need this fund to make this project a succcess.   4. Adakah anda perlukan apa-apa lagi?   Do you need anything else?   (Obligation Modal Auxiliary) Verb:  need to, required to, necessary Perlu can also comes before a primary verb to express that the action is necessary for the speaker to perform in order to fulfil certain requirements. Examples : 1. Kita perlu makan tiga kali sehari.    We need to eat three times a day.    2. Tak perlu ja...

-kah  can be used in the following ways: (Question) Particle: is it ...? I wonder ... -kah is a very flexible particle that can be attached to any clause of the sentence. In formal writing, it is always attached directly after a word, but in casual writing, it may be separated. In major cities of west coast of peninsular Malaysia, it is often pronounced as ' ke ' which is also spelt that way in casual writing. The function of -kah  is to denote the part of the sentence which is being questioned by the speaker. Presence of -kah  then means that it is a question sentence. If answers are not expected, then the purpose is to express the speaker's doubt, hesitation, skepticism or curiosity.  Examples : 1. Inikah beg awak?     Is this your beg? [As opposed to other bags.]  2. Tempat itu ada ramai orangkah?  I wonder if that place filled with people...  3. Bolehkah saya ikut?   Am I (really) allowed to follow?   4. Berita yang sa...

Untuk   can be used in the following ways: Preposition: (specially) for Untuk can be used before nouns which denote the receiver of an action or object. Examples : 1. Buku ini untuk budak itu.     This book is for that boy. 2. Ayah membeli gula-gula untuk adik.   Father bought sweets for sister (younger sibling).  3. Makanan cukup untuk semua orang.  The food is enough for every one. 4. Hadiah di atas meja itu untuk siapa?     Whom is the present on the table for?    Preposition:  for (the use/benefit of) Untuk can also be used after nouns to explain the use of the noun. In some cases bagi can be used inerchangeably though untuk is more common. Examples : 1. Dokumen untuk mesyuarat petang ini sudah siap.     The documents for the meeting this afternoon is done. 2. Vaksin untuk virus baru ini tak cukup.   The vaccine for this new virus is not enough.  3. Ada banyak buku untuk pelajar bahasa Melayu d...

Cukup   can be used in the following ways: Adjective:  enough, sufficient Cukup is used to express that the subject is sufficient to fulfil certain needs. Untuk  would often follow cukup  to describe the needs. Examples : 1. Gaji saya tak cukup.     My salary is not enough.     2. Duit ini cukup untuk beli hadiah.   This money is enough to buy a gift. 3. Tempat duduk tak cukup untuk semua pelajar.    The seats are not enough for all students. 4. Saya ada cukup masa untuk selesaikan urusan itu.  I have enough time to settle that matter.   Intensifier:  enough, sufficiently, appropriately Cukup  can also be used before adjectives/stative verbs. It is used to express that the intensity of the adjective is just enough thus satisfactory. Examples : 1. Rumah ini cukup besar.     This house is big enough.     2. Lukisan itu sudah cukup cantik.   That painting is already beautiful ...

Sudah  can be used in the following ways: (Aspect Auxiliary) Verb:  already {perfected actions / achieved state} Sudah  can precede the primary verb to express that the verb has been completed. Do note that this does not instantly apply to everything in the past. It is to assert that the action was taken and no longer is taking place. Sudah can also precede stative verbs or adjectives to express that the state has been achieved. Examples :  1. Saya sudah menyiapkan kerja rumah.      I've completed my homework.  2. Dia sudah makan pagi tadi.     He has eaten this morning.   3. Kami sudah berjaya sekarang.   We have now succeeded.  4. Sudah lama kita tak jumpa.   It's been awhile since we've met.  5. Anak-anak kita sudah besar nanti macam mana?   What would happen when our children will have grown up?   Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

Jangan   can be used in the following ways: (Imperative) Verb:  do not Jangan is specially used in order to form a negative imperative in Malay. It is placed before the verb to ask the listener to not do something. Examples : 1. Jangan makan di stesen. Don't eat at the station!     2. Jangan tinggalkan saya.  Don't leave me! 3. Awak jangan buat dia marah. Do not make her angry! 4. Kalau nak balik, jangan buat bising. If you want to go back, don't make any noise!  Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

Mesti  can be used in the following ways: (Obligation Modal Auxiliary) Verb:  must, have to Mesti can be used before the primary verb to express the obligation to do something. This sense of obligation stems internally from the speaker's belief. Examples : 1. Saya mesti lulus dalam peperiksaan.   I have to pass my exams.  2. Dia mesti pulangkan duit saya secepat mungkin.   He has to return my money as soon as possible.  3. Kita mesti menunjukkan pasport untuk menaiki kapal terbang.   We must show our passport to ride the plane.   4. Mestikah saya melaporkan kejadian itu?   Do I have to report that incident?   (Evidential Modal Auxiliary) Verb:  must be, would be, definitely will, certaily will, for sure Mesti can also be used to express the speaker's certainty that something has taken place or will take place. This certainty is based on the speaker's belief. Mestilah  can be used to agree with the person the speaker is tal...

  Juga  can be used in the following ways: (Emphatic) Adverb:  also, too Juga is rather flexible as it can come right after the part-of-speech that is intended to be emphasised. The most basic function of juga  is to express that the topic also applies to the subject or object in question much like the English 'also' . The position of juga  is important as it denote which part of the speech is emphasised.  Examples : 1. Saya juga boleh bercakap bahasa Inggeris.     I can also speak English. [In addition to someone else.]  2. Saya boleh bercakap bahasa Cina juga. [In addition to other languages. ]  I can speak Chinese as well.   3. Dia nak ikut kami juga.   He wants to follow us too.  4. Ada juga masalah lainkah?   Is there also another problem?   (Emphatic) Adverb:  right, exactly, still Another usage of juga  is quite difficult to explain. There is no one specific word in English that can exp...

Dalam  can be used in the following ways: Adjective:  deep Dalam is used to express depthness. This can be used both in literal and abstract way. Examples : 1. Kolam renang itu terlalu dalam.    The swimming pool is too deep. 2. Fikiran dia sangat dalam.  His thoughts are very deep. 3. Saya tak boleh berenang di dalam air yang dalam.     I can't swim in deep water. Preposition:  in {abstract space} Without di , dalam when used by itself refers to abstract space. It is a location without a physical entity. Examples : 1. Dia jumpa ibu bapanya dalam mimpi    He saw his parents in dream. 2. Dalam fikiran saya, ada banyak kemungkinan.   There are many possibilities in my mind.  3. Kami kalah dalam pertandingan itu.   We lost in that competition. 4. Awak belajar dalam bidang apa?   What field do you study in?   Preposition:  within, about {time} Dalam  can be followed with time expressions, adv...

  Terlalu   can be used in the following ways: Intensifier:  too, overly Terlalu  can be used before adjectives/stative verbs. It is used to express that the intensity of the adjective is too much thus not satisfactory. In colloquial conversation, sangat  can follow the adjective to further express disatisfaction.  Examples : 1. Sewa rumah ini terlalu tinggi.     The rent for this house is too high.     2. Baju ini terlalu besar sangat.   This shirt (any clothing apparel) is too big. [There's nothing can be done.] 3. Jangan balik terlalu lewat sangat.    Don't come back too late . [A little late is fine.] 4. Bilik ini terlalu besar untuk saya seorang.   This room is too big for me alone.   Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

  Sedang  can be used in the following ways: (Aspect Auxiliary) Verb:  in the middle of {ongoing action/event} Sedang can precede the primary verb to express that the verb is currently taking place. Remember that in Malay, there are no tenses. So, currently here is relative to the context of time. Sedang is mainly used when the speaker wishes to emphasise the verb is ongoing and is incomplete in that frame of time. Sedang can also precede  dalam  which is followed by an event. More colloquial options are tengah [ middle ] and duk (comes from duduk [ to sit ], and more commonly spelled as dok ) Examples : 1. Saya sedang menyiapkan kerja rumah.      I'm completing my homework.  2. Dia dok makan dari tadi.     He has been eating since just now.   3. Kami (tengah) dalam perjalanan.   We are on our way.  4. Adakah mesyuarat sedang berjalan?   Is the meeting ongoing?   Try writing your own sentences in t...

Minta   can be used in the following ways: (Causative) Verb:  to ask, to request Minta  is used to describe the action of requesting someone for something. As a primary verb,  (meN)minta --> meminta  comes before the indirect object which is the person requested by the subject. The indirect object can be ommitted when it is clear from the context.  Minta  is then followed with the action requested or the object requested. Examples : 1. Dia selalu minta tolong saya.      He always asks for my help.      2. Adik minta ibu (meN)tandatangan(i) borang itu.      My younger sibling asked mother to sign that form.  3. Mereka meminta sedikit masa lagi.   They requested for a little bit more time.  4. Awak sudah minta cuti belum?   Have you requested for an off-day?   (Imperative) Verb:  please / give (me) Minta is another polite way to make a request which can be translated to 'please...

Dapat  can be used in the following ways: Verb:  to receive, to get Dapat  is used to describe the passive action of receiving. As a primary verb,  (meN)dapat--> mendapat  comes before the object which the subject receives. Using dapat implies that the subject is given the object in a passive way (the subject did not actively look for it) or the subject receives a certain outcome. (meN)terima --> menerima which is more formal can be used interchangeably. Examples : 1. Dia (meN)dapat hadiah sempena hari lahirnya.   He got a gift in conjunction with his birthday.  2. Saya menerima kesan buruk asap daripada kilang itu.   I was affected negatively by the smoke from that factory.  3. Mereka (meN)dapat tempat pertama dalam pertandingan itu.   They got first place in that competition.  4. Sudahkah anda menerima e-mel saya?   Have you received my e-mail?   (Auxiliary) Verb:  get to, manage to, be able to When used befor...

Di  can be used in the following ways: Preposition:  in, at, on {location} Di is used to denote the location the subject is at. In Malay, we only use di  for this function. Do note that the location has to be a concrete, real location. Examples : 1. Dia ada di kolam renang.     He's at the swimming pool. 2. Di pasar, ada ramai orang berjalan-jalan.   There is a lot of people walking around at the market.  3. Kami menonton wayang di panggung wayang.     We are watching a movie in the cinema.  4. Tandas ada di mana?   Where is the toilet?   di + __ (dalam / luar / atas / bawah / depan / belakang / tepi, sebelah) Preposition:  inside / outside / above, over / below, under / in front / behind / beside Di can be followed by other prepositions to further specify the exact location of the subject. It works mostly the same as how in English would when used to talk about location. As for di dalam , it is often used when t...

Betul   can be used in the following ways: Adjective:  correct, true Betul as an adjective is used to confirm a fact or a statement as the truth. Examples : 1. Maklumat itu semuanya betul.     All of the information is true.     2. Beritahu saya jawapan yang betul.   Tell me the correct answer! 3. Encik bukan orang tempatan, betul tak?     You're not a local, is that right? 4. Betul, saya bukan orang tempatan.   That's correct, I'm not a local.   Intensifier:  indeed, truly, really When placed after an adjective, betul  is used to intensify the adjective as if the subject truly fulfils the quality of the adjective. It can also be used to agree with the other party's claim. In a sentence, the predicate with betul  can be brought to front to further emphasize it. Used this way, the sentence becomes more like an exclamation. Examples : 1. Beg tangan ini mahal betul.    This handbag is truly expensive....

Sila   can be used in the following ways: (Imperative) Verb:  please {instructions/commands} Sila  is used to form a polite way of giving instructions to others in formal situations or with strangers. Sila  has to be followed by the primary verb and subject is not required in this sentence. Be cautious that there are many situations where the English 'please' is used, but sila  is only used to give instructions. Examples : 1. Sila berhati-hati di jalan raya.   Please be careful while on the road!     2. Sila tunggu sebentar.  Please wait for a moment! 3. Sila pakai pelitup muka semasa di dalam tren. Please wear the face mask while on the train! 4. Sila isikan borang ini. Please fill in this form!   Silakan (Imperative) Verb:  go ahead, you may Silakan is used to politely invite someone to do something. Silakan  is followed by primary verbs and the sentence is usually not more than three words. Silakan  can also be use...

Ada  can be used in the following ways: Verb:  to have {possession} Ada as a primary verb is used to express that the subject possesses something. The negation word 'tak' can combine with ada  to form tiada or takda , which later is more colloquial. Examples : 1. Saya ada abang dan kakak.      I have brothers and sisters.  2. Mereka ada rumah yang besar.   They have a big house.  3. Dia kaya tapi tiada kereta.   He's rich but he doesn't own a car.  4. (Awak) ada payung tak?   Do you have an umbrella? Verb:  there is/are {existence} Ada can also be used to express the existence of things. Usually the location of the things are also mentioned. There are two ways to express this sentence, either by starting the sentence with the ada  clause or the 'di' [location] clause.  Examples : 1. Di rumah saya takda haiwan peliharaan.  There are no pets in my house.    2. Ada kuih di atas meja. There are ku...

Hendak  can be used in the following ways: Verb:  to want, would like Hendak or it's shortened form nak , can be used before a noun to express the desire to obtain the noun. Ma(h)u can also be used here interchangeably. Examples : 1. Saya nak baju baru.      I want new clothes.  2. Dia tak mahu rumah yang mahal.     He doesn't want an expensive house.  3. Encik nak teh atau kopi?   Do you [sir] want tea or coffee?  4. Nak nasi lemak dengan teh tarik, satu.   I would like nasi lemak and a glass of teh tarik, please. (Auxiliary) Verb:  want to, be going to Nak can also be used before the primary verb to express the speaker's desire or intention to carry out an action. Compared to 'akan', using nak  asserts volition and the urgency of the action. Thus, nak  is often used to express spontaneous plans that are taking place soon if not now.  Ma(h)u  can also be used here interchangeably. When used in a q...

Tetapi   can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  but Tetapi  which is used more often in it's shorten form tapi ,   can be used to connect two sentences of opposing ideas. It can also be used to begin a sentence. Examples : 1. Dia pandai tapi malas.     He's smart but lazy. 2. Tapi, hari (i)ni cuti.   But today is an off-day.  3. Awak sangat baik tapi tak sesusai dengan saya.     You're so kind but not suitable for me.  4. Tapi saya tak setuju dengan awak.   But I don't agree with you.   Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

Sangat   can be used in the following ways: Intensifier:  very, really Sangat  can be used before or after adjectives/stative verbs. There is not much difference between placing it before or after though in more cases, placing it after can be more emphatic with certain nuances such as surprised, amazed, sarcastic. Examples : 1. Tempat itu sangat jauh.     That place is very far.     2. Dia sangat suka makan ikan.   He likes to eat fish very much. 3. Kuih ini sedap sangat.     This kuih is very delicious.  [amazed] 4. Pandailah sangat awak buat macam (i)ni.   You're so smart for doing this. [sarcastic]   tak __ sangat Intensifier:  not very, not really In a negative statement, sangat is always placed after. This way, it is used to degrade the intensity of the adjectives/stative verbs. In simple words, not as what was previously known. Examples : 1. Jam tangan ini tak mahal sangat.    This watch is n...

Akan  can be used in the following ways: (Aspect Auxiliary) Verb:  will {planned events} Akan  is placed before the primary verb to express that the event will take place in the future. Be cautious that when akan is used, it does not reflect the will of the speaker, instead it is an objective way to state that it is scheduled to happen. As such, we do not use akan  when expressing spontaneous intention. But when used spontaneously, it asserts a strong declaration as if the speaker is making an oath. Note that the negation word 'tak' can be combined with akan  to form takkan . Examples : 1. Saya akan pergi ke negara Singapura.      I will go to Singapore. [It has been scheduled and I might have already bought the tickets.]  2. Maaf, Encik Mazlan tak akan berada di pejabat esok.     Sorry, Mr. Mazlan will not be present at the office tomorrow.   3. Dia berjanji akan (meN)tolong saya.   He promised that he will help...

Tolong  can be used in the following ways: (Causative) Verb:  to help Tolong is used to describe the action of helping. As a primary verb, (meN)tolong --> menolong  comes before the indirect object which is the receiver of the help. If the indirect object is the speaker, it can be ommitted when tolong is followed with the action being done. Examples : 1. Dia selalu (meN)tolong saya.      He always helps me.      2. Maaf, saya tak boleh (meN)tolong awak esok.     Sorry, I can't help you tomorrow.  3. Hana tolong (meN)angkat beg itu.   Hana helped (me) carry that bag.  4. Encik Ramli ada tolong mak di dapur?   Did you help my mum in the kitchen?   (Imperative) Verb:  please / help (me) This way,  tolong  is used to get someone to help you. If the indirect object [receiver of the action] is the speaker, it can be ommited. Tolong can be preceded by boleh to form a polite request. Examples ...

Boleh can be used in the following ways: (Auxiliary) Verb: can {capability} Boleh  comes before primary verbs to express that you have the skill or capability to perform an action. When used in question, it is to ask about someone's capability. Examples : 1. Saya boleh (ber)main piano.      I can play the piano.      2. Saya tak boleh makan pedas.     I cannot take spicy food.  3. Dia boleh (ber)cakap dalam bahasa Melayu.   He can speak in Malay.  4. Encik boleh masak makanan tradisional tak?   Can you [sir] cook traditional food?   (Auxiliary) Verb:  can {possibility}    Adjective: possible This way, boleh is used to express the possibility that something can occur. When used in question, it i used to make a request. For this usage, boleh is place before the subject if there's any. Examples : 1. Saya tak boleh datang esok.    I can't come tomorrow.     2. Mungkin boleh....

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