Operasi itu bermula esok.

Itu means that, and here it makes operasi into that operation.

So:

• operasi = operation
• operasi itu = that operation / the operation

In Malay, itu often comes after the noun, unlike English:

• rumah itu = that house
• buku itu = that book
• operasi itu = that operation

Depending on context, operasi itu can also feel like the operation, not just strictly that operation.

Malay word order is flexible, but Subject + Verb + Time is very common:

• Operasi itu = subject
• bermula = verb
• esok = time expression

So Operasi itu bermula esok is a very natural sentence.

You can also say:

• Esok, operasi itu bermula.

That puts more emphasis on tomorrow. Both are grammatical. The difference is mainly focus, not basic meaning.

Bermula means to begin / to start.

It comes from the root mula (start / beginning) plus the prefix ber-.

In many cases, ber- makes a verb that describes a state, action, or process. So:

• mula = start / beginning
• bermula = to begin / to start

In formal or standard Malay, bermula is very common in sentences like this:

• Mesyuarat itu bermula pada pukul 9.
• Kelas bermula minggu depan.

In everyday speech, people may also use mula in some contexts, but bermula sounds especially natural and standard here.

Here it is intransitive.

That means the subject itself is the thing that begins:

• Operasi itu bermula esok. = The operation begins tomorrow.

There is no direct object after bermula.

If you want to say that someone starts something, Malay often uses another verb, such as memulakan:

• Mereka memulakan operasi itu esok. = They will start the operation tomorrow.

So:

• bermula = begin, start (something begins)
• memulakan = start something (someone starts it)

Malay often does not need a special future marker when the time is already clear from context.

Here, esok (tomorrow) already shows that the action is in the future:

• Operasi itu bermula esok. = The operation begins tomorrow / will begin tomorrow.

So Malay does not need a separate word like English will.

If you want, you can add akan to make the future more explicit:

• Operasi itu akan bermula esok.

This is also correct, but it is not necessary because esok already tells you it is future.

Yes, you can.

• Operasi itu bermula esok.
• Operasi itu akan bermula esok.

Both are correct.

The version with akan sounds more explicitly future-oriented, while the version without akan is shorter and very natural because esok already makes the timing clear.

In many real Malay sentences, time words like esok, minggu depan, or nanti are enough on their own.

Yes.

You can say:

• Operasi itu bermula esok.
• Esok, operasi itu bermula.

Both mean the same thing. Putting esok first gives it more emphasis, similar to English Tomorrow, the operation begins.

Malay often allows this kind of movement for time expressions.

No. Operasi can mean different kinds of operation, depending on context.

It can refer to:

• a medical operation
• a military or police operation
• a business or technical operation
• an organized campaign or mission

So the exact meaning depends on the broader situation. The sentence itself does not force only the medical meaning.

Yes, sometimes.

You could say:

• Operasi bermula esok.

This means The operation begins tomorrow or Operations begin tomorrow, depending on context.

Adding itu makes the noun phrase more specific:

• operasi = operation / an operation / operations
• operasi itu = that operation / the operation

So itu helps point to a specific operation already known in the conversation or text.

A simple learner-friendly pronunciation is:

• bermula ≈ buhr-MOO-lah

A few helpful notes:

• ber- in standard Malay is often pronounced closer to bər-, with a weak vowel like the a in sofa
• mula sounds like moo-lah
• stress in Malay is usually not as strong as in English, so do not over-stress one syllable too much

So a natural approximation is bər-moo-lah.

It is neutral to slightly formal, and completely natural.

Why it can sound a bit formal:

• bermula is common in announcements, news, official statements, and written Malay
• operasi is also a somewhat formal noun, depending on context

This kind of sentence would fit well in:

• announcements
• reports
• news headlines
• official notices

In casual speech, people might still say it, but depending on the situation they could also choose simpler or more conversational wording.

A very useful pattern is:

• [Noun phrase] + bermula + [time]

Examples:

• Mesyuarat itu bermula pagi ini.
• Kelas bermula minggu depan.
• Pertandingan itu bermula pada hari Isnin.
• Program itu akan bermula tidak lama lagi.

This is a good pattern for talking about events, activities, schedules, and official plans.