Harimau itu memburu malam ini.

In Malay, demonstratives like ini and itu usually come after the noun.

• harimau itu = that tiger or the tiger
• malam ini = this night / tonight

This is different from English, where we say that tiger, not tiger that.

In many contexts, itu does not have to mean a strongly pointed that. It can also make the noun feel more definite, closer to the tiger.

Itu literally means that, but in sentences like this it often works more naturally as a definite marker.

So harimau itu can mean:

• that tiger
• the tiger

Which one sounds best depends on context. If the tiger has already been mentioned, the tiger is often the most natural English equivalent.

Buru is the root word, and memburu is the active verb form built with the prefix meN-.

• root: buru
• active verb: memburu = to hunt

This prefix is very common in Malay. It often marks that the subject is actively doing the action.

Because the root begins with b, the prefix appears as mem-, giving memburu.

No. Malay verbs usually do not change form for tense.

The verb memburu stays the same, and time is usually shown by context or by a time expression such as:

• malam ini = tonight
• semalam = yesterday
• esok = tomorrow

So in this sentence, the time is understood from malam ini, not from the form of memburu.

That is a very normal position in Malay. Time expressions often come at the end:

• Harimau itu memburu malam ini.

But Malay is fairly flexible, and you could also put the time phrase earlier for emphasis:

• Malam ini, harimau itu memburu.

Both are possible. The version with malam ini at the end is simple and natural.

For the same reason as harimau itu: demonstratives usually come after the noun in Malay.

So:

• malam ini = this night / tonight
• hari ini = today
• minggu ini = this week

English puts this before the noun, but Malay usually puts ini after it.

Literally, it is this night, but in natural English it is usually translated as tonight.

So Malay often uses a noun + demonstrative pattern where English prefers a special time word:

• malam ini = tonight
• pagi ini = this morning
• petang ini = this evening / this afternoon, depending on context

Good question. Memburu is often a transitive verb, so learners may expect an object, such as:

• Harimau itu memburu rusa. = The tiger hunts a deer.

But in Malay, the object can be left out if it is unknown, obvious, or not important. So:

• Harimau itu memburu malam ini.

can still be a complete sentence meaning that the tiger is engaged in hunting tonight, without saying what it is hunting.

Mostly yes. This sentence follows a very common Malay order:

Subject + Verb + Time expression

• Harimau itu = subject
• memburu = verb
• malam ini = time expression

So the structure is quite friendly for English speakers.

It normally refers to a specific tiger, not just any tiger.

That specificity comes from itu. Without itu, harimau by itself is more general and can mean a tiger, tigers, or the tiger, depending on context.

Compare:

• Harimau memburu malam ini. = a tiger / tigers hunt tonight, depending on context
• Harimau itu memburu malam ini. = that tiger / the tiger hunts tonight

No. Harimau can mean tiger or tigers, depending on context.

In this sentence, harimau itu is understood as singular because itu points to one specific tiger.

Malay does not usually add endings like English -s for plural nouns.

A simple pronunciation guide is:

ha-ri-mau i-tu mem-bu-ru ma-lam i-ni

A few helpful notes:

• r is usually tapped or lightly rolled
• u is pronounced like oo in food
• c in Malay sounds like ch, but there is no c in this sentence
• each vowel is usually pronounced clearly

So the words are generally sounded more fully than in casual English.