Hendal itu tinggi.

That handlebar is high.

Breakdown of Hendal itu tinggi.

• itu: that
• tinggi: high
• hendal: a handlebar

Questions & Answers about Hendal itu tinggi.

Why is there no word for is in Hendal itu tinggi?

In Malay, you often do not need a verb like is when linking a noun to an adjective.

So:

• Hendal itu tinggi
  literally looks like handle that tall
• but it naturally means That handle is tall/high

This is very common in Malay. When the predicate is an adjective, Malay usually just puts the adjective after the noun phrase without adding is.

Compare:

• Rumah itu besar = That house is big
• Budak itu pandai = That child is clever
• Hendal itu tinggi = That handle is tall/high

What does itu mean here?

Itu usually means that.

In this sentence, hendal itu means that handle.

A very important thing for English speakers is that Malay demonstratives usually come after the noun, not before it.

So:

• hendal ini = this handle
• hendal itu = that handle

This is different from English, where this and that come before the noun.

Why does itu come after hendal instead of before it?