Learn Hardcore Malay: Dia pulang ke rumah sekarang.

In Malay, dia is gender-neutral. It can mean "he" or "she" depending on context. Speakers usually figure out the intended meaning based on the situation or from previous references in conversation.

What exactly does 'pulang' mean, and is it the same as “balik”?

Both pulang and balik can convey the idea of “returning.” However, pulang often carries the sense of returning to one’s home or hometown, while balik is more general and can mean going back to any place. In many contexts, they can be used interchangeably.

What does 'ke' signify in this sentence?

In Malay, ke generally means "to" when indicating a direction or destination. In this sentence, ke points to the place rumah (house) that dia is returning to.

Why is 'sekarang' placed at the end of the sentence?

Unlike in English, Malay adverbs of time (like sekarang, meaning "now") can be placed at the beginning or end of the sentence. Putting sekarang at the end is a common, natural-sounding placement in everyday Malay.

Can the sentence be reordered without changing the meaning?

You could say , and the meaning would still be the same. However, sounds completely natural in Malay, and many speakers prefer that order in casual conversation.