A1 - Common objects and surroundings In Malay
Apa itu?
In this lesson, we will learn about common household items and demonstrative pronouns in Malay. Understanding these terms will help you describe your surroundings, whether you're in the living room, bedroom, or any other part of the house. This vocabulary is essential for everyday conversations and will enable you to communicate more effectively in Malay.
Household Items
Here are some common household items and their translations in Malay:
| English | Malay |
|---|---|
| Keys | kunci |
| Toys | mainan |
| Broom | penyapu |
| Basket | bakul |
| Fan | kipas |
| Bottle | botol |
| Book | buku |
| Container | bekas |
| Umbrella | payung |
| Knife | pisau |
| Toothbrush | berus gigi |
| Toothpaste | pasta gigi |
| Towel | tuala |
| Telephone | telefon |
| Refrigerator | peti ais/sejuk |
| Kettle | cerek |
| Camera | kamera |
| Air Conditioner | penghawa ingin |
| Furniture | perabot |
| Curtains | langsir |
| Carpet/Rug | permaidani |
| Clock | jam |
| Plant | tumbuhan |
| Chair | kerusi |
| Table | meja |
| Bookcase | almari buku |
| Bed | katil |
| Pillow | bantal |
| Blanket | selimut |
Demonstrative Pronouns
In Malay, there are two demonstrative pronouns: ini ("this, these") and itu ("that, those").
- Ini is used for a noun generally near to the speaker.
- Itu is used for a noun generally far from the speaker.
Either pronoun can sometimes be equivalent to English "the". There is no difference between singular and plural. However, plural can be indicated through duplication of a noun followed by ini or itu.
The word yang ("which") is often placed before demonstrative pronouns to give emphasis and a sense of certainty, particularly when making references or enquiries about something/someone.
Examples of Demonstrative Pronouns
| Pronoun | Malay | English |
|---|---|---|
| This book, these books, the book(s) | buku ini | This book, these books, the book(s) |
| These books, (all) the books | buku-buku ini | These books, (all) the books |
| That cat, those cats, the cat(s) | kucing itu | That cat, those cats, the cat(s) |
| Those cats, the (various) cats | kucing-kucing itu | Those cats, the (various) cats |
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences using demonstrative pronouns:
- Q: Anda mahu membeli buku yang mana? (Which book do you wish to purchase?)
- A: Saya mahu beli yang ini. (I would like this one.)
- Q: Kucing mana yang makan tikusmu? (Which cat ate your mouse?)
- A: Yang itu! (That one!)
Practice Tips
- Memorize the Vocabulary: Start by memorizing the household items and demonstrative pronouns.
- Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with the vocabulary and their meanings to help with memorization.
- Role-Play: Practice describing your surroundings using the phrases and vocabulary you've learned.
- Write Sentences: Write simple sentences using different household items and demonstrative pronouns to get comfortable with their usage.
- Record Yourself: Record yourself speaking the phrases and listen back to improve your pronunciation.
Selamat belajar! (Happy learning!)