A1 - Pronouns in Malay

Fun Fact: Malay is One of the Genderless Languages

Did you know that Malay is one of the few languages in the world that does not have grammatical gender? This means that nouns, pronouns, and other parts of speech do not change based on gender. For example, the pronoun "dia" can refer to he, she, or it, making Malay a very inclusive language.

This genderless nature of Malay reflects the egalitarian values of the cultures that speak it. It simplifies communication and reduces the need to memorize different forms of words based on gender. As you learn Malay, you'll find that this aspect of the language makes it easier to master and use in various contexts.

Pronouns in Malay

Before we learn how to ask and respond to questions, let's learn about pronouns (kata ganti nama diri). In Malay, pronouns are categorized into three groups: speakers, listeners, and those who are not present. Understanding these pronouns will help you communicate more effectively in daily conversations.

First Category (Speakers)

• Saya - I (formal)
• Aku - I (informal)
• Kami - We (not including listeners)
• Kita - We (including listeners)

Only used in royal settings:

• Beta — For a king/queen/emperor/empress referring to themselves.
• Patik — Used by male officials or male subjects addressing the ruler.
• Hamba — Used by women addressing the ruler.

Second Category (Listeners)

• Kamu - You
• Awak - You
• Kalian - You all (for talking to many people at once)
• Anda - (formal, often used in writing)

Only used in royal settings:

• Engkau - You (when a king or queen speaks down to a subject or commoner)
• Tuanku - You (Talking to a king/queen)
• Tuan hamba - You (between equals such as official to official, warrior to warrior, etc. in royal or classical settings.)

Third Category (For Those Who Are Not Present)

• Dia - He/She (genderless)
• ia - It
• Beliau - Respected person
• Mereka - They
• -nya - His/Her/Its (possessive pronoun)

Only used in royal settings:

• Baginda - His Majesty / Her Majesty

Example Conversation

Let's put these pronouns into practice with a simple conversation:

Apa khabar? | Khabar baik.

Apa nama kamu? | Nama saya Ali.

In this conversation:

• "Apa khabar?" means "How are you?"
• "Khabar baik" means "I'm doing well."
• "Apa nama kamu?" means "What is your name?"
• "Nama saya Ali" means "My name is Ali."

Practice Tips

• Memorize the Pronouns: Start by memorizing the pronouns in each category.
• Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with the pronouns and their meanings to help with memorization.
• Role-Play: Practice using pronouns in conversations with friends or colleagues.
• Write Sentences: Write simple sentences using different pronouns to get comfortable with their usage.

Selamat belajar! (Happy learning!)