Upholsteri itu usang.

Literally, itu means that. But when it comes after a noun, it often also makes the noun definite, so in English it may be translated as the.

So upholsteri itu can mean:

• that upholstery
• or more naturally in context, the upholstery

This is very common in Malay.

Malay often leaves out the verb to be in simple sentences with adjectives or noun phrases.

So:

• Upholsteri itu usang literally looks like that upholstery worn-out
• but it naturally means The upholstery is worn out

This is normal Malay grammar, not an omission.

Yes. Usang is an adjective.

It usually means something like:

• worn out
• shabby
• outdated
• old from long use

In this sentence, it describes the condition of the upholstery.

Because this is a full sentence, not just a noun phrase.

The structure is:

• Upholsteri itu = the subject
• usang = the predicate adjective

So the pattern is:

subject + adjective

That gives: Upholsteri itu usang = The upholstery is worn out

Not exactly.

upholsteri usang without itu can often sound like a noun phrase meaning:

• worn upholstery

It can sometimes also be understood as a short sentence from context, but it is less clearly definite.

Adding itu makes it clearer that you mean:

• that upholstery
• or the upholstery

So Upholsteri itu usang is clearer as a complete sentence.

Yes. Upholsteri is a loanword, ultimately from English upholstery.

Malay uses many loanwords, especially for:

• household items
• technical objects
• modern materials or equipment

So this word is normal and understandable, especially in furniture or car-interior contexts.

They overlap, but they are not the same:

• usang = worn out, aged, shabby, sometimes old-fashioned
• lama = old or long-standing in a general sense
• lusuh = shabby, especially for fabric, clothing, books, or surfaces
• rosak = broken or damaged

So usang is a good choice when something looks old and worn from use, even if it is not completely broken.

Yes.

• Upholsteri ini usang = This upholstery is worn out
• Upholsteri itu usang = That upholstery is worn out or The upholstery is worn out

The grammar stays the same. Only the demonstrative changes:

• ini = this
• itu = that

In normal, neutral Malay, Upholsteri itu usang is the natural order.

Putting usang first sounds marked, poetic, or strongly emphatic. In everyday speech, learners should stick with:

Upholsteri itu usang

That is the standard and safest form.

A simple English-friendly approximation is:

• upholsteri → uh-pol-STEH-ree
• itu → ee-too
• usang → oo-sahng

So the whole sentence is roughly:

uh-pol-STEH-ree ee-too oo-sahng

The ng in usang is like the sound at the end of song.