Word of the Day: How to use 'Pula'

Cuma can be used in the following ways:

Pula might be the most or among the most difficult word to master in Malay. For some usages, it has a corresponding phrase in English, but for most other usages, they would get lost in translation. Even in Malay, pula is mostly optional but knowning when to use it precisely is what will distinguish between a beginner and an intermediate learner. Since pula is used for emphasis, in many sistuations a glottal stop, pula(k) --> pulak, may be added to further stresses it.

Conjunction: as for, what about

The first usage is rather simple. When talking about a topic, it is used to introduce or bring the conversation to another aspect/thing relating to the topic. When talking about more than one thing about a topic, anything after the first will also be followed by pula. It can also be used to return the same question or inciting a response from the person you're talking to relating to a topic. For this function, pula follows directly after the subject. Bagaimana pula dengan can be memorised as a fixed phrase.

Examples:

1. Bagaimana pula dengan situasi di negara awak?

 What about the situation in your country. {After listening to other countries' situations.}

 2. Awak suka makan ayam. Ikan pula? 

You like to eat chicken. What about fish? {While talking about favourite food}

 3. Saya rasa rumah ini sempit sangat. Awak pula macam mana?

 I think this house is very cramped. What do you think? (As for you?)

 4. Ibu suri rumah. Ayah pula bekerja sebagai seorang peguam.

 Mother is a housewife. As for fater, he works as a lawyer. {While talking about parents' occupation}.

 5. Ini abang saya. Itu pula kakak saya.

 This is my brother. As for that, my sister.


Conjunction: and then, and now

The second usage concerns with order and taking turns. When something happens after another, the event that comes after receives pula. 

Examples:

1. Sekarang giliran awak pula.

 (And) Now it's your turn.

 2. Dia bising-bising, lepas tu senyap pula.

 He was making noises, and then he got quiet.

 3. Semalam sakit kepala, hari ini sakit badan pula.

 Yesterday I had a headache, and today my body aches.

 4. A: Pak cik, datang cepat. Adik terkunci dalam tandas.

     A: Uncle, come quick! Brother got locked in the toilet.

     B: Pulak dah.

     B: Not this again. (And now this.) {Among all the troubles he have done.)

 5. A: Saya rasa tak jadi nak mula diet hari ini. Esoklah.

    A: I think I'm not gonna start dieting today. Tomorrow it is.

    B: Macam tu pulak.

    B: Is that what you're going with? (And now is that how it works?) {After all the troubles.}


(Surprising) Particle: on the contrary, unexpectedly

The third usage is used to express speaker's surpsise. It's either because something is unexpected or that something went against a logical flow.

Examples:

 1. Tak sangka pulak dia sanggup buat macam tu.

 I didn't expect he could have (dare to do) done something like that

 2. Kesian pulak tengok kucing ni terbiar.

 I felt sympathy looking at this neglected cat. {I didn't expect I would.}

 3. Selepas pakai baju itu, nampak macam model lah pulak.

 After wearing that clothes, I unexpectedly look like a model

 4. Kucing peliharaan saya yang mati, dia yang menangis pulak.

It was my pet cat that died. On the contrary, he's the one who's crying.


{Question Word} + pulak

Particle: {questioning or wondering tone}

The fourth usage, pulak is used together with a question word. It is used when the speaker is really puzzled either because they're trying to question a fact or they're unsure about it.

Examples:

1. Bila pulak saya cakap macam tu?

 When have I said that? (Don't put words in my mouth.)

 2. Siapa pulak yang buang kasut baru ni?

 Who was it that threw these new shoes? (Such a waste.)

 3. Macam mana pulak nak pujuk dia? 

 How to persuade/coax her? (I'm really at a loss.)

 4. Kenapa pulak adik kena bersihkan bilik abang?

 Why is it that I'm the one who has to clean up brother's room? (This is so unfair.)



Dahlah..., (lepas tu) ... pulak tu.

Conjunction: Not only..., but also...

This construction is used to further highlight an addtional positive or negative quality following a previous point.

Examples:

1. Dahlah cantik, murah pulak tu.

 Not only is it beautiful, but it is also cheap.

 2. Dahlah datang lambat, buat selamba pulak tu.

 Not only did he come late, but he also acted indifferent.

 3. Dahlah tak ingat hari ini hari apa, (le)pas tu marah orang pulak tu.

 Not only did you not remember what day is today, but you also scoled me (instead).

 4. Dahlah buat salah, (le)pas tu tak tahu nak minta maaf.

 Not only was he at fault, but he also didn't apologise.



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

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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