Word of the Day: How to use 'Dapat'

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 before a primary verb, dapat expresses that the subject due to some external circumstances manages to perform the action. In a lot of these sentences, using 'boleh' does not make the sentences wrong but it will lose the nuance that dapat brings. 

Examples:

1. Saya dapat balik rumah esok. 

I'll get to go home tomorrow. [After being unable to.]  

2. Semalam dia tak dapat periksa e-mel dia. 

He didn't get to check his e-mail yesterda. [Probably because he was too busy.]

3. Mereka tak dapat selesaikan masalah itu tanpa bos.

They were not able to solve that problem without the boss's presence.

4. Dapat telefon dia tak?

Did you manage to call him?

 

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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Word of the Day: How to use 'Sampai'

Sampai   can be used in the following ways: Verb:  to arrive Sampai as a verb is the colloquial counterpart for the word tiba . It is used to express that the subject has arrived at their destination. The preposition ke or di  often follows sampai to denote the location/destination. Examples : 1. Dia sampai pada pukul 10.     He arrived at 10 o'clock. 2. Sudah sampai masa.   The time has come .  3. Saya belum sampai ke pejabat.  I have not arrived at the office. 4. Bagitahu saya bila awak sudah sampai (di) rumah.  Let me know when you have arrived home !   Preposition:  to, until Sampai as a preposition is followed by nouns that denote the level, limit or the end of time or location. It is interchangeable with the more formal word hingga .  Examples : 1. Dia belajar sampai peringkat universiti.   He studied until university level. 2. Lelaki itu mengejar pencuri itu sampai hujung lorong itu.   That man chased the thief till the end of the alley. 3. Sampai bila awak nak macam ini?  U
Read more

Comparison: Nak vs Mau

Differences between Nak vs Mau Please refer to this entry to understand the functions of hendak / nak / ma(h)u . Difference 1:  Regional Preference Generally, nak and mau is interchangeable in most situations and depending on regions, speakers might prefer one over the other. Speakers from East Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak) prefers mau .  Difference 2:  Formality Below are the words arranged in increasing level of formality. Informal:  nak  1. Saya nak beli barang.   I'm going to buy things. Informal:  mau  2. Dia mau rumah yang besar.   He wants a big house. Formal:  mahu  3. Perdana menteri mahu rakyat bersabar.   The prime minister wants the people to be patient. Formal:  hendak  4. Guru besar hendak memperbesar kawasan sekolah.   The principal wants to expand the school compound. Difference 3:  Nuance If it is not influenced by the factors above, then it is due to the slight difference in nuance between nak and mau . Both words are used to express the intention of the speake
Read more

Word of the Day: How to use 'Untuk'

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 di sini.    There are many books for Malay students here .  4. Kunci untuk pintu belakang
Read more