Learn Malay with Adlan

Seperti  can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  like, as {resemblance}, such as {examples} Seperti can be used to liken something (a noun) with something else (another noun). Colloquially, it can most of the time interchanged with macam , though seperti is more suitable to be used with something more abstract while macam  something more ocncrete. When giving examples of a group of things, seperti is used. Examples : 1. Saya nak kemeja macam kemeja awak.  I want a shirt like your shirt. 2. Dia suka berkeliaran seperti binatang liar.  He likes to roam around like a wild animal. 3. Kalau ingin berjaya, buat seperti orang yang berjaya.  If you want to succeed, act as successful people (do). 4. Kami sedang mencari calon yang memenuhi kriteria seperti yang tersiar di akhbar.  We're looking for a candidate who fulfils the criteria as shown on the newspaper. 5. Malaysia ada menghasilkan buah-buahan tropikal seperti durian, mangga, dan manggis.  ...

Atas  can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  for {reason} Atas as a conjunction is used to explain reason of something by connecting to a noun phrase. It is distinct to kerana/sebab  as the following is used to connect to another clause. Furthermore, restructuring the same sentence using atas would sound more formal. Examples : 1. Terima kasih atas pertolongan anda.  Thank you for your help. 2. Syabas atas kerja keras anda.  Malaysia is famouse because it has tall buildings. 3. Kami meminta maaf atas kesilapan itu.  Thanks for accompanying me. 4. Keputusan sebulat suara tidak tercapai atas beberapa sebab.  An unamious decision could not be achieved for some reasons. Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

Sementara  can be used in the following ways: Adjective:  temporary Sementara expresses the idea of temporariness implying that things will change eventually. Examples : 1. Dia hanyalah pembantu sementara.  He is only a temporary asistant. 2. Hidup ini hanyalah sementara.  This life is merely temporary. 3. Kita akan (meN)pindahkan operasi ke sini buat sementara waktu.  We will move the operation here for a temporary time. 4. Penutupan sementara jalan itu menyebabkan kesesakan jalan raya. The temporary closure of that road has caused road traffic. Conjunction:  while When used as a conjunction, sementara introduces a temporary time period in which the main action is taken. The clause with sementara can be an action performed by another subject or a temporary state in which the primary subject is experiencing.  Examples : 1. Alia mengemas rumah sementara Hana memasak.  Alia cleans the house while Hana is cooking. 2. Ayah membaca surat khabar sementa...

Demi can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  for (the sake of) Demi  can precede nouns to indicate the purpose of an action.  In most cases  untuk  can be used inerchangeably though demi reflects a deeper resolution especially when used before person or God. Examples : 1. Saya buat semua ini demi awak.     I've done all of these for you (for your sake). 2. Fikirlah masak-masak demi masa depan.  Think hard for your future. 3. Demi Tuhan, aku bersumpah hanya akan berkata yang benar.   In God's name, I swear to speak only of the truth. 4. Rakyat Malaysia bersatu padu membangunkan negara demi kemakmuran negara.   The people of Malaysia are united to develop the country for the country's prosperity. Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

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...

Entah  can be used in the following ways: Exclamation:   I don't know, I wonder Entah  implies that the speaker has no knowledge of something and is also wondering about the answer. When used impulsively in casual settings, it is used to quickly brush off someone's inquirement either because of pure ignorance or disinterest. Be careful as it may sound dismissive in this way. On the contrary, when it is not directed to anyone (self-talk), it may reflect a sense of the speaker's despair due to not knowing something. Examples : 1. Entah.    I don't know (and I don't care). {responding to someone's question}  2. Entah, saya pun tak tahu. (I don't know), I also don't know.  3. Entahlah, cuba tanya orang lain.   I'm not sure, try asking the others. Entah {Adjective} entah tidak   Conjunction:  Who knows whether it's {Adjective} or isn't. This pattern is used to express that the truth about something is unsure of. Examples : 1. Restoran itu ent...

Supaya   can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  so that, in hope to Supaya is used to connect a clause to another clause describing the most ideal result that the speaker had hoped for. Dapat often follows supaya  denoting the state to be achieved. Agar which is more formal may be used interchangeably.  Examples : 1. Saya tidur awal supaya dapat bangun awal.  I sleep early so that I'll be able to get up early. 2. Gunalah kemudahan awam dengan elok supaya orang lain pun dapat menggunakannya.   Use public facilities properly so that others could use them too. 3. Mereka bertungkus lumus memerah otak supaya dapat jumpa jalan penyelesaian yang terbaik.  They are struggling hard racking their brains in hope to find the best solution. 4. Dalam negara yang berbilang kaum, kita harus bersatu padu agar negara aman dan tenteram. In a multicultural country, we have to be united so that our country will be in peace.   Conjunction: (hoping) for Supaya...

Sambil  can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  while Sambil  is used when the subject is performing two actions simultaneously. The clause with  sambil is usually an action that does not take up a lot of mental capacity. Examples : 1. Dia suka belajar sambil mendengar muzik.  He likes to listen to music while studying. 2. Jangan bermain telefon sambil memandu.  Don't use your phone while driving. 3. Sekolah akan mengadakan lawatan sambil belajar ke kilang itu.  The school will organize a field visit to the factory. 4. Setibanya di hospital, kami cepat-cepat telefon yang lain sambil mengusung dia ke bilik pembedahan. As we arrived at the hospital, we quickly called the others while taking him (on a stretcher) to the surgery room. Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

Selepas  can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  after Selepas  is used to describe an event that takes place after an event. If the subject of the clause with  selepas  and the clause without  selepas  is the same, then the subject on the clause with  selepas  can be dropped. Setelah which is more formal can be used interchangeably. (Se)lepas (i)tu is also commonly used in conversation to connect events while narrating a story or to encourage the speaker to continue his narration. Examples : 1. Selepas itu, semuanya sudah tidak seperti dulu.  After that, everything wasn't the same as before. 2. Mereka selalu berkumpul selepas waktu kerja.  They always gather after working hours. 3. Saya hanya boleh keluar bermain selepas menyiapkan kerja rumah.  I can only go out to play after finishing my homework. 4. Selepas menamatkan pelajaran, dia terus mendapat tawaran bekerja. He got a work offer immideately after ending his st...

Sebelum  can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  before Sebelum  is used to describe an event that takes place before an event. If the subject of the clause with sebelum  and the clause without sebelum is the same, then the subject on the clause with sebelum can be dropped. Examples : 1. Basuh tangan sebelum makan.  Wash your hands before eating! 2. Saya selalu pergi ke tandas sebelum tidur.  I always go to the toilet before sleeping. 3. Berfikir dahulu sebelum bercakap.  Think first before you speak! 4. Sebelum mengenali awak, saya tidak mengenali erti kehidupan. Before knowing you, I didn't understand the meaning of life. Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

Semasa  can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  when, while (Se)masa is used to introduce the time frame when the main action takes place. The clause with semasa  can be a state or a process action (an action that takes place for a period of time). (Se)waktu can be used interchangeably. Examples : 1. Kami selalu bermain bersama-sama waktu kecil.  We always played together when we were young. 2. Jangan bermain di luar masa hujan.  Don't play outside when it's raining. 3. Semalam ada orang datang ke rumah semasa awak sedang tidur.  Someone came yesterday while you were sleeping. 4. Saya rasa paling bahagia semasa berada di sisi dia. I felt the happiest when I was at his side. Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

Cuma  can be used in the following ways: (Limiting) Particle:  only Cuma , just like hanya , can be used to limit certain details in the sentence. It can come before the subject, verb, object or amount.  Sahaja  can also be paired with  cuma , which comes after the limited detail. The main difference when using cuma  is that it carries the nuance that the amount is not enough. Examples : 1. Saya ada cuma seorang anak.   I only have a child. {I want more.}  2. Cuma Adam sahaja yang sudah bayar. Adam is the only one who has paid. {There should be more people.}  3. Di rumah itu, dia cumalah orang gaji.   In that house, he's merely a maid. {Nothing more.}  4. Bilik ini cuma muat untuk seorang sahaja.   This room only fits one person.   Conjunction:  It's just that... Cuma can be used to start a sentence or to connect contrasting ideas. When a speaker thinks what is believed by others isn't the exact truth, cuma can b...

Bahawa  can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  that Bahawa  can be placed following verbs of utterance and cognition. What comes after bahawa  complements the verb, a clause that explains what the speaker thinks, feel, has heard, etc. In conversation, it is usually dropped and replaced with a pause. Examples : 1. Dia kata (bahawa) dia akan lambat.  He said that he'll be late. 2. Dimaklumkan bahawa esok cuti umum.  Please be informed that tomorrow is a public holiday. 3. Saya percaya bahawa dia berkata benar.  I belive that he told the truth. 4. Kami yakin bahawa pasukan ini akan menang.   We are confident that this team will win. Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

Yang  can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  which, who, where, what, that Yang can followed nouns to further elaborate and distinguish the said noun from other similar things. Thus, whenever the speaker is attempting to specify a noun, or in any structures involving comparison, yang would be used. Adjectives or a clause could come after yang . As for the generic noun 'thing', apa or benda can be used. Examples : 1. Orang tua yang tinggi itu ayah saya.  The tall old man is my father. 2. Beg yang mana awak punya?  Which bag is yours? 3. Saya beritahu dia tempat menarik yang saya pergi.  I told him the intereststing places that I've been. 4. Kami tak faham apa yang dia cakap.   I don't know what (the thing) he said. Pronoun:  the ... one When there is no noun before yang , then yang here acts as the generic pronoun , one .  Examples : 1. Yang hijau itu saya punya.  The green one is mine. 2. Awak nak yang besar atau yang kecil?  D...

Kerana  can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  because, for Kerana can be used to state the reason of something including expressions of feelings. Kerana is only used in the middle of the sentence. Sebab is more colloquial and can be interchangeable with kerana . Examples : 1. Dia sedih sebab gagal mendapatkan lesen.  He's sad because he had failed to get the license.  2. Malaysia terkenal kerana terdapat bangunan yang tinggi-tinggi.  Malaysia is famouse because it has tall buildings. 3. Terima kasih sebab menemani saya.  Thanks for accompanying me. 4. Maaf kerana tidak dapat hadir ke majlis awak.   I'm sorry for not being able to attend your ceremony. Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

Kalau can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  if Kalau is the most basic conjunction to form conditional structure in Malay. It can be used in front of the sentence or in the middle. The clause with kalau , would be the condition, and the other clause is the result given that the conditional clause is fulfilled. Adding -lah in this case would be used in a rather hypothetical scenario in which the speaker does not believe will happen, at least not soon. Examples : 1. Kalau hujan, kita tak jadi keluar.  If it rains, we're not gonna go out as planned. 2. Saya tak nak pergi kalau dia ikut.  I'm not going if he's following. 3. Kalaulah ada musim sejuk di Malaysia, bolehlah kita rasa salji.  If only there were snow in Malaysia, we could then experience snow. 4. Kalaulah dia ulang kaji dari awal, tak adalah gagal sekarang. If only he had revised since the beginning, he wouldn't have fialed now.   Kalau tak... Conjunction:  Otherwise, Or This pattern is us...

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...

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 d...

Tetapi   can be used in the following ways: Conjunction:  but Tetapi  which is used more often in it's shorten form tapi ,   can be used to connect two sentences of opposing ideas. It can also be used to begin a sentence. Examples : 1. Dia pandai tapi malas.     He's smart but lazy. 2. Tapi, hari (i)ni cuti.   But today is an off-day.  3. Awak sangat baik tapi tak sesusai dengan saya.     You're so kind but not suitable for me.  4. Tapi saya tak setuju dengan awak.   But I don't agree with you.   Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...