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Word of the Day: How to use 'Daripada'

Daripada  can be used in the following ways: Preposition:  from {source} Daripada  is used to denote the source of something. Examples : 1. Surat itu datang daripada abang saya.  The letter came from my brother. 2. Dia menerima bungkusan daripada keluarganya.   He received a package from his family. 3. Kerusi itu diperbuat daripada kayu tempatan.     The chair is made from local wood. 4. Mereka mendapat banyak pengajaran daripada program itu.   They learnt a lot from that programme.   Preposition:  than, instead of, rather than {source of comparison} In a comparison sentence, daripada  is used to denote the source of comparison. Examples : 1.  Laptop lebih besar daripada tablet.  Laptops are bigger than tablets. 2. Saya lebih suka kopi daripada teh.   I prefer coffee over tea. 3. Daripada berjalan lebih baik naik teksi.  Instead of walking, it's better if we grab a taxi. 4. Daripada tak buat apa-apa lebih baik tidur.   Rather than not doing anything, it's better to sleep. Prepo

Word of the Day: How to use 'Sungguh'

Sungguh  can be used in the following ways: Intensifier:  really Sungguh  can be used before or after adjectives/stative verbs. Compared to sangat , sungguh  expresses a higher degree of intensity. Hence, it's only used when the speaker is genuinely amazed. In terms of structure, it is not uncommon to bring the sungguh  part in front to further emphasise it, turning it into an exclamation. Examples : 1. Sungguh indah pemandangan Gunung Kinabalu.  The Mount. Kinabalu view is really scenic.    2. Soalan peperiksaan hari ini susah sungguh .   The exam questions today were really tough. 3. Rancangan realiti itu sungguh menghiburkan.   The reality show is really entertaining. 4. Sungguh tak tersangka kepulangan dia.   I really didn't expect his return.     Try writing your own sentences in the comment below...

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

Word of the Day: How to use 'Habis'

Habis  can be used in the following ways: Stative Verb:  to be finished, to be used up, to end Habis  is used to describe the state of things that are no longer available as it has been used up or finished. Examples :  1. Duit saya sudah habis.  My money is finished (used up).  2. Pertunjukan itu sudah habis.   The show is finished (ended).  3. Dia makan semuanya sendiri sampai habis.   He ate everything himself until it's finished (gone).  4. Habis semua buku diconteng adik.   All the books were scribbled by brother (younger sibling). (Aspect Auxiliary) Verb:  to finish Habis  can precede the primary verb to express that the verb has been done until it is finished or exhausted.  Examples : 1. Dia sudah habis makan. He has finished eating. 2. Habis sekolah nanti, terus balik. Come back immediately once you have finished school! 3. Saya akan pergi kalau ayah sudah habis cakap. I'll live now if you've finished talking. 4. Mereka sudah balik sebelum saya habis bentangkan proje

Word of the Day: How to use 'Mari'

Mari  can be used in the following ways: Verb:  Come (here) Mari can be used to call the listener to your side. When used before a verb, it is to invite the listener to do something. When used after a verb or after the preposition ke , it expresses movement to the speaker's location. Examples : 1. Mari sini. Come here! 2. Mari makan. Come eat! 3. Bawa mari bungkusan itu. Bring the package here (to my side). 4. Jangan datang ke mari. Don't come here (to my side). Mari (kita) (Imperative) Verb:  Let us Mari  can also be used to invite the listener to do something together. Jom which is more colloquial can be used interchangeably. However, jom can be used by itself to urge the listener. Examples : 1. Mari pergi ke kedai itu. Let's go to that store! 2. Jom keluar jalan-jalan. Let's go hang outside! 3. Mari kita mulakan mesyuarat sekarang. Let us start the meeting now! 4. Jom masuk acara larian itu. Let's join that running event! Try writing your own sentences in the com

Word of the Day: How to use 'Tiba-tiba'

Tiba   can be used in the following ways: Verb:  to arrive Tiba  as a verb is the formal counterpart for the word  sampai . It is used to express that the subject has arrived at their destination. The preposition  ke  or  di  often follows  tiba  to denote the location/destination. Examples : 1. Dia tiba pada pukul 10.     He arrived at 10 o'clock. 2. Sudah tiba pada masanya.   The time has come .  3. Saya belum tiba ke pejabat.  I have not arrived at the office. 4. Bagitahu saya bila awak sudah tiba di rumah.  Let me know when you have arrived home !   Tiba-tiba Adverb:  suddenly, all of a sudden, out of nowhere When duplicated, tiba-tiba  is used as an adverb to express that something happened suddenly. It can be placed before or after the subject. It can also be placed at the end of the sentence. When it's placed at the end of the sentence, the adverb of manner prepositions  dengan or secara , will come before tiba-tiba . Examples : 1. Dia tiba-tiba berlari dengan laju.  He

Word of the Day: How to use 'Cuma'

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