Word of the Day: How to use 'Ada'

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 kuih on the table.

3. Di dalam kelas ada 30 orang pelajar cukup-cukup.

In class, there are exactly 30 students.

4. Helo? Ada orang di rumah tak?

Hello? Is there anyone home?


... (ber)ada di ...

Verb: to be {location}

Ada which is followed by 'di' is used to point out the current location of the subject. Berada can also be used inerchangeably here. However, using berada asserts more emphasis on the location which usually express that the subject has been at the location for a while or that it is the default location of the subject.

Examples:

1. Ayah tak ada di rumah.

Father isn't at home.

2. Awak ada di mana?

Where are you at?

3. Maaf, Encik Halim ada di pejabat tak?

Excuse me, is Encik Halim in the office?

4. Pejabat pos berada di tepi sekolah.

The post office is located next to the school.

5. Saya berada di rumah sepanjang hari.

I was home all day long. 


(Auxiliary) Verb: happen to, to have (done) 

As an auxiliary verb, ada comes before primary verbs to express that the outcome of the action is relevant for the current/future situation. Thus, in statements, it is used to mention about preparations that were done relevant to the current context whereas in questions, it is used to check whether the listener has done something as it is an important pretext for what's to come.

Examples:

1. Saya ada bawa payung sebab hari ini akan hujan.   

I bought an umbrella because it will rain today. [Thus, I came prepared.]

2. Dia tak ada bagitahu saya tentang mesyuarat itu. 

He didn't tell me about the meeting. [Thus, it was the reason I was absent.]

3. Awak ada baca e-mel saya tak?

Did you read my e-mail? [If you do, you would know what I'm talking about. If not, you should.]

4. Awak ada nampak kunci saya tak?

Did you [happen to] see my keys? [If you do, then where would it be?]


Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

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