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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 be used to express the exact truth. Examples : 1. Saya faham cu

Hanya  can be used in the following ways: (Limiting) Particle:  only Hanya  can be used to limit certain details in the sentence. It can come before the subject, verb, object or amount. Sahaja can be paired with hanya , and comes after the limited detail. Examples : 1. Saya ada hanya kereta ini sahaja.   I only have this car (as opposed to other cars).  2. Hanya Adam sahaja yang belum bayar. Adam is the only one who hasn't paid.  3. Dalam hidup ini, dia hanya ada kekayaan semata-mata.   In this life, he merely only have richness.  4. Lif ini dapat memuatkan hanya 8 orang sahaja.   This elevator can only fit 8 people.   Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

-lah  can be used in the following ways: (Imperative Softener) Particle:  (can you) please..., I beg you... -lah  is a very flexible particle that can be attached to any clause of the sentence. In formal writing, it is always attached directly after a word, but in casual writing, it may be separated. -lah  has many functions. In this post, it might not cover all the uses but the main ones. The most basic function of -lah  is to soften an order or a request by attaching it to the imperative verb. With -lah , there is a nuance of inviting, pursuading even so far as begging/urging when the syllable is lengthened. Examples : 1. Jomlah keluar. Bosan di rumah.   Let's go out! {begging} It's boring at home.  2. Makanlah sikit, nanti lapar.  Eat a little bit or you might get hungry later! {pursuading}  3. Masuklah ke rumah dan buatlah macam rumah sendiri.   Please come in and make yourself like home. {inviting}  4. Tolonglah, saya dah penat ni. Ceraikanlah sa(ha)ja saya.   I beg you, I

(bu)kan  can be used in the following ways: (Confirming) Particle:  right? (bu)kan  is a very flexible particle that can be attached to any clause of the sentence similar to -kah . The function of kan  is to get confirmation from the listener. It is used when the speaker believes, according to his knowledge, in something and hoping for the listener to agree. If the speaker is rather unsure about something, then kan is used to seek confirmation of truth.  Examples : 1. Ini kan kereta awak?   This is your car, right?  2. Sedap kan kek ini? This cake is delicious, no?  3. Hari (i)tu kan, saya nampak ada orang pelik datang.   It was that day, right, I saw someone weird coming.  4. Kalau dapat kerja (i)tu, maksudnya saya kena pindah kan?   If I get that job, it means I have to move, right?   Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

Ya  can be used in the following ways: (Softening) Particle Besides the function of ya  as an affirmation word, much like the English 'yes', ya  can also be placed at the end of the sentence to soften a question or a request. The shorter the sentence is the more likely ya  would be used. Examples : 1. RM10 ya.   RM10 please! 2. Kita jumpa esok ya. Let's meet tomorrow, OK?  3. Bila saya boleh jumpa doktor ya?   When can I see the doctor?  4. Menara ini berapa tingkat ya?  How many floors do this tower have?  Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

Tak  can be used in the following ways: (Tag Question) Particle:  is it ...? Tak can be used at the end of the sentence to create a yes/no question. Compared to -kah , using tak is more neutral whereas with -kah , it seems to the speaker that the answer would be correct. Other than that, tak can only be used sentences with verbs or adjectives. Tak can also be placed directly after the verb or adjective. Examples : 1. Awak pandai main bola tak?   Are you good at playing football? 2. Tempat itu panas tak?  Is that place hot?  3. Boleh tak saya bermalam di rumah kawan?   May I have a sleepover at my friend's place?  4. Seronok tak dapat bercuti di luar negara?  Are you excited that you'll get to go for a holiday abroad?    Nak + (...) + tak? (Invitation)  Particle:  Do you want to...? Together with nak , this structure can be used to invite the listener to do something. In some sentences, however, it is merely used to ask the listener's intention. Examples : 1. Nak makan di lu

-kah  can be used in the following ways: (Question) Particle: is it ...? I wonder ... -kah is a very flexible particle that can be attached to any clause of the sentence. In formal writing, it is always attached directly after a word, but in casual writing, it may be separated. In major cities of west coast of peninsular Malaysia, it is often pronounced as ' ke ' which is also spelt that way in casual writing. The function of -kah  is to denote the part of the sentence which is being questioned by the speaker. Presence of -kah  then means that it is a question sentence. If answers are not expected, then the purpose is to express the speaker's doubt, hesitation, skepticism or curiosity.  Examples : 1. Inikah beg awak?     Is this your beg? [As opposed to other bags.]  2. Tempat itu ada ramai orangkah?  I wonder if that place filled with people...  3. Bolehkah saya ikut?   Am I (really) allowed to follow?   4. Berita yang saya dengar tentang awak, betulkah?   Are the news I h

  Juga  can be used in the following ways: (Emphatic) Adverb:  also, too Juga is rather flexible as it can come right after the part-of-speech that is intended to be emphasised. The most basic function of juga  is to express that the topic also applies to the subject or object in question much like the English 'also' . The position of juga  is important as it denote which part of the speech is emphasised.  Examples : 1. Saya juga boleh bercakap bahasa Inggeris.     I can also speak English. [In addition to someone else.]  2. Saya boleh bercakap bahasa Cina juga. [In addition to other languages. ]  I can speak Chinese as well.   3. Dia nak ikut kami juga.   He wants to follow us too.  4. Ada juga masalah lainkah?   Is there also another problem?   (Emphatic) Adverb:  right, exactly, still Another usage of juga  is quite difficult to explain. There is no one specific word in English that can express juga . However, the nuance that juga  brings here is to emphasise that it is none