A1 - Basic verbs and actions In Malay
Jom belajar Bahasa Melayu bersama-sama!
We typically focus on basic, everyday vocabulary and simple grammatical structures at this level. For Malay, some essential verbs and actions that are commonly taught at this level include:
Basic Verbs and Actions
| Malay | English |
|---|---|
| makan | to eat |
| minum | to drink |
| tidur | to drink |
| berjalan | to walk |
| lari | to run |
| bercakap | to speak/talk |
| dengar | to listen |
| lihat | to see/look |
| belajar | to learn/study |
| baca | to read |
| tulis | to write |
| buka | to open |
| tutup | to close |
| ambil | to take |
| masuk | to enter |
| keluar | to exit |
| duduk | to sit |
| berdiri | to stand |
| mandi | to bathe/shower |
| bersih | to clean |
Simple Present Tense
In Malay, the present tense is often indicated by the context rather than verb conjugation. For example:
Saya makan. - I eat.
Kami minum. - We drink.
Simple negation with "tidak" and "bukan"
Negation in Malay is typically formed using "tidak" and "bukan."
Tidak
"Tidak" is used before a verb phrase or adjective phrase. For example:
Saya tidak mahu makan. - I do not want to eat.
Dia tidak pandai. - He is not smart.
Bukan
"Bukan" is used in two main contexts:
1. Before a noun phrase and prepositional phrase:
Ravi bukan dari Ipoh. - Ravi is not from Ipoh.
Ini bukan buku saya. - This is not my book.
2. To deny a statement beginning with a verb phrase or adjective phrase if these phrases contain oppositional information:
Saya bukan pandai, tetapi saya kuat berusaha. - I am not smart, but I am hardworking.
Dia bukan marah, dia hanya sedih. - He is not angry, he is just sad.
How to Ask Questions
Questions in Malay are formed using specific question words. Here are some common question words and examples of how to use them:
1. What - Apa
Apa cerita zaman muda nenek? - What stories do you have about your younger days, grandma?
Apa kamu makan? - What do you eat?
2. Who - Siapa
Siapa dalam gambar ini? - Who is in this photo?
Siapa ini? - Who is this?
3. When - Bila
Bila kita akan melawat atuk? - When will we visit grandpa?
Bila kamu pergi? - When do you go?
4. Where - Di mana (Formal) / Kat mana (Informal)
Di mana nenek simpan surat lama? - Where does grandma keep old letters?
Di mana kamu tinggal? - Where do you live?
5. Why -Kenapa
Kenapa atuk suka tanam pokok ini? - Why does grandpa like planting this tree?
Kenapa kamu tidur? - Why are you sleeping?
6. How - Bagaimana (Formal) / Macam mana (Informal)
Bagaimana kita boleh belajar Bahasa Melayu dengan Pak Long? - How can we learn Malay with uncle?
Bagaimana kamu belajar? - How do you study?
These verbs, structures, negation forms, and question words are essential for basic communication in Malay and are fundamental.
Selamat belajar! (Happy learning!)