Saya suka nasi dan awak suka roti.

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Breakdown of Saya suka nasi dan awak suka roti.

• awak: you
• suka: to like
• nasi: the rice
• roti: the bread
• dan: and

Questions & Answers about Saya suka nasi dan awak suka roti.

Why do we use “dan” in this sentence?

“Dan” in Malay functions exactly like “and” in English. It connects two ideas or nouns―in this case, nasi (rice) and roti (bread).

What is the difference between “saya” and “awak”?

Saya is the formal or neutral way of saying “I”. Awak is a common way of saying “you,” although in many regions of Malaysia, people might also use kamu, engkau, or even local dialect forms.

Why are “saya” and “awak” placed at the beginning of their respective clauses?

Malay uses a Subject-Verb-Object structure. So in “Saya suka nasi,” saya (the subject) appears before the verb suka (to like). Likewise, awak appears before suka in the second clause.

Are there other ways to say “you” in Malay that might be more polite or formal?

Yes. The most polite form would be “Anda.” In very formal or official contexts, Anda is often used instead of awak. There are also regional variations such as kamu, but formality varies by context.

Is there any difference in meaning if I say “Aku suka nasi dan kau suka roti”?

The essence of the meaning remains the same. Aku and kau can carry a more casual or intimate tone, often used among close friends or in literature. Saya and awak sound more neutral or polite in everyday conversation.