Penjana itu sudah berfungsi.

In Malay, demonstratives like ini (this) and itu (that) usually come after the noun.

So:

• penjana itu = that generator / the generator
• buku ini = this book

This is a very common word order pattern in Malay:

• rumah itu = that house
• kereta ini = this car

So penjana itu is completely normal Malay word order.

Itu literally means that, but in many sentences it can also feel like the, depending on context.

So penjana itu could be understood as:

• that generator
• the generator

Malay does not have a separate word exactly like English the, so words like itu are often used when referring to something specific and already known in the conversation.

Sudah means already, and it often marks that something has happened or a new state has been reached.

In Penjana itu sudah berfungsi, sudah shows that the generator has now reached the state of functioning.

It gives the idea of:

• is already working
• has started functioning
• is now operational

Without sudah, the sentence would sound more like a general statement about the generator functioning, rather than emphasizing that it is already working now.

Malay often does not use a verb equivalent to English to be in the same way English does.

English says:

• The generator is working
• The generator has started working

Malay can express this without a separate is/has word:

• Penjana itu sudah berfungsi

Malay relies a lot on:

• context
• aspect markers like sudah
• the main verb itself

So the sentence is perfectly complete without a separate word for is or has.

Berfungsi means to function, to work, or to be operational.

It is made from:

• fungsi = function
• ber- = a common prefix that often forms intransitive verbs

So berfungsi means roughly to have a function / to function.

In real usage, it often means:

• functioning
• working properly
• operational

For machines, systems, or devices, berfungsi is a very common word.

The prefix ber- often forms verbs that describe a state, activity, or condition, usually without a direct object.

In berfungsi, it turns fungsi into a verb-like form:

• fungsi = function
• berfungsi = to function / to be functioning

You do not need to translate ber- separately every time. It is better to learn the whole word berfungsi as a unit.

Other examples:

• berjalan = to walk / to go
• bercakap = to speak
• bermula = to begin

Yes, you can.

Penjana itu berfungsi is grammatical, but the meaning changes slightly.

• Penjana itu berfungsi = The generator functions / The generator is functioning
• Penjana itu sudah berfungsi = The generator is already functioning / The generator is now working

So sudah adds the sense of already or now successfully in that state.

They are similar, but not always identical.

Both can mark that something has happened, but:

• sudah is very common in everyday speech
• telah is often more formal or written

Also, sudah more naturally carries the feeling of already.

Compare:

• Penjana itu sudah berfungsi = The generator is already functioning
• Penjana itu telah berfungsi = The generator has functioned / has become functional
  This sounds more formal and less natural in casual speech for this context.

For everyday Malay, sudah berfungsi is the more natural choice here.

Yes. The exact English translation depends on context.

Berfungsi can mean:

• works
• is working
• functions
• is functioning
• is operational

Because Malay does not mark tense the way English does, one form can match several English possibilities. In this sentence, sudah helps create the sense of is already working or has become operational.

Yes. Penjana is the standard Malay word for generator.

Depending on context, speakers may also use generator, especially in technical or informal speech influenced by English. But penjana is correct and natural Malay.

You may also see it in compounds such as:

• penjana elektrik = electric generator

Not by itself. Itu means that/the, not specifically singular.

Malay nouns usually do not change form for singular vs. plural. Number is understood from context, or sometimes shown with repetition or other words.

So:

• penjana itu usually means that generator / the generator
• If you wanted to make plurality clearer, you might say penjana-penjana itu = those generators

In your sentence, penjana itu is naturally understood as singular.

The basic order is:

• Penjana itu = subject noun phrase
• sudah = aspect marker
• berfungsi = verb

So the pattern is:

Subject + aspect marker + verb

That is a very common Malay sentence structure.

A rough pronunciation guide is:

pen-JA-na i-tu SU-dah ber-FUNG-si

A few notes:

• penjana: the j sounds like the j in judge
• itu: pronounced roughly ee-too
• sudah: the u is like oo in food, but shorter
• berfungsi: fung sounds like foong

Malay pronunciation is generally quite regular, so once you know the sounds, it is usually pronounced close to the spelling.

Yes, it is natural and correct.

Penjana itu sudah berfungsi is a normal way to say that a particular generator is now working or operational.

It sounds especially natural in contexts like:

• machinery
• maintenance
• engineering
• repairs
• status updates

For example, after fixing a machine, someone might say this to report that the generator is now functioning.