Meter elektrik itu berada di luar premis.

that

Breakdown of Meter elektrik itu berada di luar premis.

• di luar: outside
• berada: to be located or present
• meter elektrik: the electricity meter

Questions & Answers about Meter elektrik itu berada di luar premis.

What does itu mean here?

Itu is a demonstrative that comes after the noun in Malay.

So meter elektrik itu means:

• that electric meter
• or, depending on context, the electric meter

This is a very common pattern in Malay:

• rumah itu = that house / the house
• kereta itu = that car / the car

Malay often uses itu not only for literal that, but also to mark something as already known in the conversation.

Why is it meter elektrik and not elektrik meter?

In Malay, noun combinations usually put the main noun first and the describing noun second.

So:

• meter elektrik = literally meter electric = electricity meter / electric meter

The main thing is meter, and elektrik tells you what kind of meter it is.

This is normal Malay word order for many compound nouns:

• bilik tidur = bedroom
• kad kredit = credit card
• stesen minyak = petrol station

So English often goes modifier + noun, but Malay often goes noun + modifier.

What does mean in this sentence?