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Questions & Answers about Baju saya kering.
Why does the possessor "saya" come after the noun "baju" instead of before it as in English?
In Malay, the possessive pronoun follows the noun. So instead of saying my shirt, Malay uses baju saya, which literally means shirt I. This is the standard word order for expressing possession in Malay.
Why is there no linking verb like "is" in the sentence "Baju saya kering"?
Malay typically omits the linking verb in simple equative sentences. The adjective kering (dry) directly follows the subject, and no extra verb is needed to connect the noun to its description. This is a common grammatical feature in Malay.
What role does the adjective "kering" play, and does it change form based on the noun?
The word kering functions as an adjective that describes the state of baju. Unlike in English, adjectives in Malay remain invariable; they do not change form to agree with the noun in number, gender, or tense.
How would I express the negative form of the sentence, for example, "My shirt is not dry"?
To form the negative, you insert tidak before the adjective. Therefore, My shirt is not dry is translated as Baju saya tidak kering in Malay.
Is it possible to contract the possessor "saya" in this context, and if so, how is it done?
Yes, for first person singular, Malay often uses the clitic -ku after the noun. So instead of Baju saya, you can say Bajuku in a more informal or concise usage. Both forms are correct, though baju saya may be preferred in formal writing.
Why isn't there an article like "a" or "the" before "baju" in the sentence?
Malay does not use articles such as a or the. Nouns are used without them, and the meaning is inferred from context. The absence of articles is a typical feature of the language and simplifies the noun phrases.