Pengikis itu kecil.

That scraper is small.

Breakdown of Pengikis itu kecil.

• itu: that
• kecil: small
• pengikis: a scraper

Questions & Answers about Pengikis itu kecil.

Why is there no word for is in Pengikis itu kecil?

Malay often leaves out the verb to be in simple present sentences.

So:

• Pengikis itu kecil = That/The scraper is small
• literally, it is more like scraper that small

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

What does itu mean in this sentence?

Itu usually means that, but in many sentences it can also make the noun sound more definite, like the in English.

So pengikis itu can often be understood as:

• that scraper
• or the scraper, depending on context

Malay does not use articles exactly like English, so itu often helps point to a specific thing.

Why does itu come after pengikis instead of before it?