Learn Hardcore Malay: Bolehkah awak tulis tarikh hari ini di buku itu?

Bolehkah comes from the word boleh, which means “can” or “may.” By adding -kah, it turns into a question form. In this sentence, it politely asks if someone is able or allowed to do something – essentially, “Can you…” or “May you…”

Who does the word awak refer to in the sentence?

Awak is the informal pronoun for “you” in Malaysian Malay. It is used in casual conversations, whereas in more formal situations, anda might be preferred.

How is the sentence structured to form a polite request?

The sentence begins with bolehkah to establish the interrogative form. This is immediately followed by the subject awak (“you”), then the verb tulis (“write”). Next, tarikh hari ini specifies what should be written (“today’s date”), and finally, di buku itu indicates where the action should take place (“in that book”). This order clearly communicates a polite request.

What does tarikh hari ini mean?

Tarikh means “date,” and hari ini translates to “today.” Together, they form “today’s date.”

Why is the preposition di used before buku itu?

In Malay, the preposition di denotes location, similar to “in” or “at” in English. Therefore, di buku itu means “in that book,” specifying the location where the date should be written.

Can the sentence be made more formal, and if so, how?

Yes, you can make the sentence more formal by replacing the informal awak with the more formal anda. The sentence then becomes: Bolehkah anda tulis tarikh hari ini di buku itu?

Is it necessary to use a question mark at the end of the sentence?

Yes, just like in English, a question mark is used in Malay to signal that the sentence is interrogative. The question mark clarifies the intended tone of inquiry or request.