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Learn Hardcore Malay: Mereka bergaduh semalam. - They quarreled yesterday.

Hardcore Malay
/Planning a long road trip
/Mereka bergaduh semalam.

Mereka bergaduh semalam.

Word

Mereka bergaduh semalam.

Meaning

They quarreled yesterday.

Part of speech

sentence

Pronunciation

Course

Lesson

Planning a long road trip

Breakdown of Mereka bergaduh semalam.

to quarrel; fight

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Questions & Answers about Mereka bergaduh semalam.

Why isn't there any past-tense ending, and why doesn't the verb change for they?

Malay verbs normally do not change for tense, person, or number.

So bergaduh stays bergaduh with:

saya
dia
kami
mereka

The past meaning comes from semalam, which gives the time reference. That is why no extra verb ending is needed.

You can add words like sudah or telah in some contexts, but in this sentence they are unnecessary.

What does the prefix ber- do in bergaduh?

Ber- is a very common Malay prefix. With many roots, it forms an intransitive verb meaning something like to do, to be engaged in, or sometimes to do together / mutually.

Here:

gaduh = the root
bergaduh = to quarrel / argue / fight

In this sentence, bergaduh is the normal standard verb form.

Could I also say Mereka gaduh semalam?

In casual spoken Malay, many speakers do say gaduh without ber-.

So:

Mereka bergaduh semalam = more standard / careful
Mereka gaduh semalam = common in informal speech

If you are learning standard Malay, bergaduh is the safer form to use.

Does bergaduh mean a verbal argument or a physical fight?

It can cover both, depending on context.

It often means:

to quarrel
to argue
to fight

If you want to be more specific:

bertengkar usually points more clearly to a verbal argument
berkelahi usually points more clearly to a physical fight

So bergaduh is a broad, everyday word.

What exactly does semalam mean here?

In standard Malay, semalam commonly means yesterday.

Depending on context, English translations sometimes make it sound closer to last night, but if you want to say last night very clearly, malam tadi is often a clearer choice.

So for learners, the safest basic idea is:

semalam = yesterday
malam tadi = last night

Why is semalam at the end? Can it go at the beginning?

Yes, it can go at the beginning.

Both are natural:

Mereka bergaduh semalam.
Semalam mereka bergaduh.

The version with semalam at the end sounds neutral and very common. Putting semalam first gives a little more focus to the time.

Why isn't there a word for with or with each other?

Because mereka already includes both sides, and bergaduh already suggests a mutual action.

So Mereka bergaduh already naturally means they argued/fought with each other.

You would use dengan if the other person or group is mentioned separately, for example:

Ali bergaduh dengan adiknya.

But when both parties are already included in mereka, no extra with word is needed.

Can mereka mean singular they?

Normally, no.

In Malay, mereka is a plural pronoun, usually for people. It does not normally work like singular English they.

So:

mereka = plural they
dia = he / she
beliau = a more respectful he / she

Also, mereka is mainly used for humans. For animals or things, Malay often repeats the noun instead of using mereka, unless the speaker is personifying them.

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