Learn Hardcore Malay: Hujan lebat membuat saya susah untuk menunggang basikal, walaupun saya sudah bawa payung. - Heavy rain makes it hard for me to ride a bicycle, even though I have already brought an umbrella.

Hujan lebat translates to "heavy rain" in English. It serves as the subject of the sentence and establishes the cause—the heavy rain is what leads to the speaker’s difficulty in riding a bicycle.

How does membuat function within this sentence?

Membuat means "makes" or "causes." It connects the subject hujan lebat (heavy rain) to the resulting effect saya susah untuk menunggang basikal (it is difficult for me to ride a bicycle), clearly expressing a cause-and-effect relationship.

Why is the particle untuk included before menunggang basikal, and could it be omitted?

Untuk functions similar to the English word "to." It introduces the verb phrase menunggang basikal (riding a bicycle), indicating the specific action that becomes difficult because of the heavy rain. Omitting untuk would make the sentence grammatically clumsy and could obscure the intended meaning.

What does walaupun contribute to the sentence’s overall meaning?

Walaupun translates to "although" or "even though." It introduces a contrasting clause that acknowledges the speaker’s effort (having already carried an umbrella) while emphasizing that, despite this precaution, the heavy rain still causes difficulty in riding a bicycle.

What role does sudah play in the phrase sudah bawa payung?

Sudah means "already." It indicates that the action of carrying an umbrella was completed prior to encountering the effects of the heavy rain, thus highlighting that even though proper measures were taken, they weren’t sufficient to overcome the difficulty.

Why is the shorter form bawa used instead of the full form membawa?

In everyday Malay, it is common to use the informal, shortened version bawa instead of the formal membawa (which also means "to carry" or "to bring"). Both are understood by native speakers, but bawa is typically preferred in casual conversation.

How does the sentence illustrate a cause-and-effect structure in Malay?

The sentence is structured so that hujan lebat (heavy rain) acts as the cause, with membuat linking this cause to its effect—saya susah untuk menunggang basikal (it makes it difficult for me to ride a bicycle). The contrasting clause introduced by walaupun (although) further reinforces the idea that even with a preventive action (carrying an umbrella), the outcome remains unchanged.