Word of the Day: How to use 'Kena'

Kena can be used in the following ways:

(transitive) Verb: to hit, to get {diesease}

Kena as a primary verb expresses that something has come into contact with the subject physically including diseases.

Examples:

1. Bola itu terkena kepala dia

 The ball hit his head.

 2. Dia basah kuyup sebab kena hujan.

 He's soaking wet because he got rained upon.

 3. Saya pernah kena Covid dua kali.

 I've gotten Covid two times.

 4. Kuah tumpah dari pinggan dan kena kaki dia.

 The gravy spilled from the plate and hit his foot.

 

(Stative) Verb: to be apropriate, to be right

Often used in a negative state, tak kena describes that a certain action is not appropriate due to a certain feeling felt by the speaker. It is kind of a gut feeling due to some external circumstances.

Examples:

1. Ada sesuatu tak kena.

 There's something not right.

 2. Pakai baju macam itu tak kena dengan majlis.

 Wearing that kind of clothing is not appropriate with the event.

 3. Tak kena kalau tak pergi selepas dijemput.

 It's not right if ne don't go after being invited.

 4. Dia suka beli baju yang saiznya tak kena dengan badan.

 He likes to buy clothes which their size are not suitable with his body.


(Aversive Passive) Verb: to get

Kena can be followed with some verbs (mostly unpleasant actions) to express that the subject is a receiver of an unpleasant action. When used this way, it has the nuance that the subject or the speaker sees it as unplesant. Dengan is used to denote the doer of the action.

Examples:

1. Dia kena marah.

 He got scolded.

 2. Dia selalu kena puji dengan cikgu.

 He is always praised by the teacher. (speaker slightly annoyed)

 3. Datanglah awal kalau tak nak kena denda.

 Come early if you don't want to be punished!

 4. Lelaki yang pandu dengan laju itu kena saman dengan polis.

 That man who drived fast was fined by the police.


(Obligation Modal Auxiliary) Verb: have to

Kena can also be used before verbs to express an obligation to do something. This sense of obligation usually comes externally in which the subject may feel forced to do.

Examples:

1. Dia kena kerja pada hari Sabtu.

He has to work on Saturday.

2. Adik kena pakai cermin mata sebab sudah rabun.

My sister (younger sibling) has to wear glasses because she's already short-sighted. 

3. Saya kena buang sampah sebelum tidur.

I have to take out the trash before sleeping.

4. Kalau nak berjaya, kena berusaha dengan keras.

If you want to be successful, you have to work hard!


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