Learn Hardcore Malay: Saya ada kucing dan anjing di rumah.

In this context, ada functions as the equivalent of "have" or "have got." It indicates possession, so Saya ada kucing dan anjing di rumah translates to "I have a cat and a dog at home." Additionally, note that in other contexts, ada can also denote existence, as in "there is" or "there are."

Can ada also be used to indicate existence?

Yes, indeed. While in this sentence ada expresses possession ("I have"), in other contexts it can mean "there is" or "there are." For example, Di taman ada bunga means "There are flowers in the garden."

What do the words kucing and anjing signify?

Kucing translates to "cat" and anjing translates to "dog." When paired with dan (meaning "and"), the phrase kucing dan anjing is understood as "cat and dog."

Why aren’t there articles like "a" or "the" before kucing and anjing?

Malay does not use articles such as "a," "an," or "the." Nouns are stated without them, and their meaning (singular or plural) is inferred from context. So, kucing and anjing are simply used to denote "cat" and "dog," without the need for an article.

What function does di serve in the phrase di rumah?

Di is a preposition that means "in" or "at." In the phrase di rumah, it indicates location—translating to "at home" or "in the house."

Are there alternative verbs to express possession in Malay besides ada?

Yes, another common verb for expressing possession is mempunyai, which also means "to have." However, in everyday Malay, ada is often preferred because it is simpler and more colloquial. Both forms are correct, though mempunyai can sound slightly more formal.