Word of the Day: How to use 'Patut'

Patut can be used in the following ways:

(Obligation Modal Auxiliary) Verb: should, supposed to {morally, ethically}

Patut can be used before the primary verb to express that the action is what's proper to be done. This sense of obligation stems from moral values as to what the speaker believes as proper or fit in the eyes of many. Tak patut can also be used as an exclamation to respond to something believed as inproper or should not be done.

Examples:

1. Awak patut minta maaf dengan dia.

 You should apologise to him.

 2. Dia tak patut buat begitu terhadap orang tua.

 He shouldn't have done that to elderlies.

 3. Awak patut berehat di rumah kalau sakit.

 You should rest at home if you're ill.

 4. Kita tak patut buli orang yang berlainan.

 We should not bully people who are different (than us).

 

(Evidential Modal Auxiliary) Verb: should be, should have be

Patut can also be used to express the speaker's certainty that something has taken place or will take place. This certainty is based on what the speaker thinks from their knowledge. Therefore, compared to mesti, the speaker is less certain when using patut. Patutlah can be used when the speaker has now realised the reason behind certain event. It might be confusing to differentiate the function of patut. What you can use as an indicator is the intonation of the speaker. An emotional intonation would carry the meaning above while a wondering intonation would carry the later function.

Examples:

1. Dia patut ada di Jepun sekarang.

He should be in Japan now (I believe).

2. Mereka patut masak di dapur. 

They should be cooking in the kitchen (If I'm not wrong).

3. Saya rasa dia patut dah sampai di rumah.

I think he should have arrived at home.

4. Kedai patut tak buka hari ini sebab cuti umum.

Stores shouldn't be opening today since it's public holiday.

5. A: Hari ini hari jadi saya.

    A: Today is my birthday. 

    B: Oh patutlah awak dapat banyak hadiah.

    B: Owh, no wonder you received a lot of presents.


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