Puncak itu jauh dari tapak perkhemahan.

that

Breakdown of Puncak itu jauh dari tapak perkhemahan.

• dari: from
• jauh: far
• tapak perkhemahan: the campsite

Questions & Answers about Puncak itu jauh dari tapak perkhemahan.

Why is itu placed after puncak instead of before it?

In Malay, demonstratives usually come after the noun.

So:

• puncak itu = that peak
• tapak perkhemahan itu = that campsite

This is normal Malay word order. English says that peak, but Malay says peak that.

Also, itu can sometimes feel like the as well as that, depending on context. So puncak itu could mean that peak or the peak we’re talking about.

Why is there no word for is in the sentence?

Malay often leaves out the verb to be when a noun is described by an adjective or a phrase.

So:

• Puncak itu jauh literally = That peak far
• Natural English = That peak is far

This is completely normal in Malay. You do not need a separate word for is here.

What kind of word is jauh here?

Jauh is an adjective meaning far.

In this sentence, it works as the main predicate:

• Puncak itu = the subject
• jauh dari tapak perkhemahan = what is being said about the subject

So the structure is basically:

• That peak
  • far from the campsite

Malay adjectives can directly follow the subject like this, without needing is.