Learn Hardcore Malay: Saya guna cawan untuk minum air segar.

It translates to "I use a cup to drink fresh water." The sentence is built from saya (I), guna (use), cawan (cup), untuk (for), minum (drink), and air segar (fresh water).

Why is the verb "guna" used instead of a more formal alternative?

"Guna" is an informal, shortened form of "menggunakan." While both mean "to use," "guna" is more common in everyday, casual speech, making the sentence sound natural and conversational.

What role does the word "untuk" play in this sentence?

"Untuk" functions as a preposition that introduces a purpose or reason. In this sentence, it connects the action of using a cup with its intended purpose, which is minum air segar (to drink fresh water).

How does the placement of the adjective "segar" in "air segar" compare to English adjective placement?

In Malay, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify. That’s why "segar" (fresh) comes after "air" (water), forming "air segar." In English, adjectives usually come before the noun, as in "fresh water."

Why are there no articles like "a" or "the" before nouns such as "cawan" and "air segar"?

Malay does not use articles like "a," "an," or "the." The meanings and specificity are usually understood from context, so there’s no need for additional words to indicate definiteness or indefiniteness.

Is the word order in this sentence typical for Malay, and why?

Yes, the sentence follows a common structure in Malay. It generally uses a Subject-Verb-Object order with additional phrases (like purpose clauses) added after the object. Here, "saya" is the subject, "guna" is the verb, "cawan" is the object, and "untuk minum air segar" explains the purpose. This order is standard and natural in Malay.