Komputer itu mengesan virus.

The word order is Subject – Verb – Object, just like in English:

• Komputer itu = the computer / that computer
• mengesan = detects / is detecting / detected, depending on context
• virus = virus / viruses

So the structure is:

Komputer itu + mengesan + virus
= The computer detects the virus / That computer detects viruses, depending on context.

In Malay, demonstratives like ini and itu usually come after the noun, not before it.

So:

• komputer itu = that computer / the computer
• komputer ini = this computer

This is different from English, where we say that computer with that before the noun.

It can feel like either one in English.

Literally, itu means that. But in many sentences, noun + itu is also used where English would naturally say the + noun, especially when the noun is already known or specific.

So komputer itu could be translated as:

• that computer
• the computer

The best choice depends on context.

Mengesan means to detect, to trace, or to identify the presence of something, depending on context.

In this sentence, mengesan virus most naturally means:

• detects a virus
• detects viruses
• is detecting a virus

For a computer, detect is the most natural English meaning here.

Mengesan is a verb form built from the root kesan.

The root kesan can relate to ideas like trace, effect, impression, or sign. When the prefix meN- is added to form an active verb, it becomes mengesan, meaning to detect or to trace.

A useful pattern to notice is:

• root beginning with k
• with meN-, the k often drops

So:

• kesan → mengesan

This is a common feature of Malay word formation.

The prefix meN- forms an active verb, especially one that takes an object.

Here, mengesan is an active verb acting on virus.

So in:

Komputer itu mengesan virus

the computer is actively doing the action of detecting something.

This active verb pattern is extremely common in Malay.

Malay verbs do not change form for tense the way English verbs do.

So mengesan by itself does not tell you whether the action is present, past, or future. Time is usually understood from:

• context
• time words
• aspect markers

So this sentence could mean:

• The computer detects viruses
• The computer is detecting a virus
• The computer detected the virus

If you want to be more specific, Malay often adds words such as:

• sedang = in the middle of doing
  
  • Komputer itu sedang mengesan virus = The computer is detecting a virus
• telah / sudah = already
  
  • Komputer itu telah mengesan virus = The computer has detected / detected a virus
• akan = will
  
  • Komputer itu akan mengesan virus = The computer will detect a virus

Malay does not use articles like English a, an, and the in the same way.

So virus can mean:

• a virus
• the virus
• viruses

The exact meaning depends on context.

That means mengesan virus could be interpreted as:

• detect a virus
• detect the virus
• detect viruses

English usually forces you to choose, but Malay often leaves that open unless the speaker wants to be more specific.

It can be either singular or plural.

Malay nouns usually do not change form for plural. So virus can mean:

• virus
• viruses

If the speaker wants to make plurality very clear, they can use context, a number, or sometimes reduplication:

• dua virus = two viruses
• virus-virus = viruses

But in many everyday sentences, plain virus is enough.

Yes. Virus is used in Malay and is a standard word.

Malay includes many loanwords, and virus is one of them. In modern contexts like computing, medicine, and technology, it is completely normal.

Yes. That would mean:

• This computer detects a virus
• This computer is detecting viruses

The difference is:

• komputer ini = this computer
• komputer itu = that computer / the computer

So the sentence structure stays the same; only the demonstrative changes.

A simple learner-friendly pronunciation guide is:

• Komputer ≈ kom-poo-ter
• itu ≈ ee-too
• mengesan ≈ meng-uh-san
• virus ≈ vee-rus

A few notes:

• e in mengesan is often a neutral uh sound
• ng in mengesan is like the ng in sing
• Malay pronunciation is generally quite regular compared with English

Yes. Because Malay does not mark tense the way English does, this sentence can also express a general statement or capability.

So Komputer itu mengesan virus could mean:

• That computer detects viruses
• The computer can detect viruses
• The computer is detecting a virus

Context tells you whether it is:

• a general ability
• a current action
• a completed event

You could add more information after virus, or make the noun phrase more specific.

For example:

• Komputer itu mengesan virus itu = The computer detects that virus / the virus
• Komputer itu mengesan satu virus = The computer detects one virus / a virus
• Komputer itu mengesan banyak virus = The computer detects many viruses
• Komputer itu mengesan virus berbahaya = The computer detects dangerous viruses

This is a common way Malay adds precision without using articles like English does.