Mereka berbual perlahan supaya anak kecil itu boleh tidur.

They chat quietly so that the small child can sleep.

Breakdown of Mereka berbual perlahan supaya anak kecil itu boleh tidur.

• itu: that
• mereka: they
• berbual: to chat
• tidur: to sleep
• perlahan: quietly
• supaya: so that
• anak: the child
• kecil: small
• boleh: to be able

Questions & Answers about Mereka berbual perlahan supaya anak kecil itu boleh tidur.

What does perlahan mean here, and can I use other words with similar meaning?

Perlahan means “softly” or “quietly” in this context, suggesting that they are speaking in a low volume so the child can sleep. Other words you might use are perlahan-lahan (“slowly” or “gently”) or dengan lembut (“gently”), depending on the nuance you want. But perlahan on its own typically emphasizes softness of volume.

Is supaya the only way to say “so that” in Malay?

Supaya is a common word meaning “so that” or “in order to” in Malay. Another possible word with a similar function is agar, though it’s often considered a bit more formal. Generally, in everyday speech, supaya works well.

Why do we say anak kecil itu instead of just anak kecil?

When you say anak kecil itu, the word itu is a demonstrative that specifies a particular child. It’s like saying “that little child” in English. If you just say anak kecil, it’s more general and could refer to any child.

What is the difference between berbual and bercakap?

Both can mean “to talk” or “to speak.” Bercakap is broader, meaning “to speak” in general. Berbual often implies a chat or conversation, sometimes informally. In many everyday contexts, they’re interchangeable, but berbual brings a slight nuance of a friendly or social conversation.

Do we need to use boleh before tidur?

Including boleh indicates that the child can or is able to sleep, emphasizing the ability or possibility. If you remove boleh and just say anak kecil itu tidur, it frames it more as a simple statement of fact (“the child sleeps”). By using boleh, you’re clarifying the purpose of speaking quietly—to allow or enable the child to sleep.