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Questions & Answers about Baju saya koyak.
What does the word baju mean in the sentence?
Baju translates to “shirt” in English. While it can sometimes refer to clothing in a broader sense, in this context it specifically denotes a shirt.
What is the role of saya in this sentence?
Saya functions as a pronoun that indicates possession—meaning “my.” When placed after baju, it tells us that the shirt belongs to the speaker. In other contexts, saya can simply mean “I,” but here it is used possessively.
Why is there no linking verb such as “is” between saya and koyak?
In Malay, the linking verb “to be” is often omitted in descriptive sentences. The sentence Baju saya koyak directly conveys “My shirt is torn” by using the adjective koyak to describe the state of the shirt without needing an extra word for “is.”
What function does the adjective koyak serve and does it change form?
Koyak is an adjective that means “torn” or “ripped.” It describes the condition of the noun (baju) and does not change form regardless of the subject or number. In Malay, adjectives typically remain constant without any inflection for tense, number, or person.
Are there alternative ways to express possession for “my shirt” in Malay?
Yes, besides using the separate pronoun saya after the noun (as in baju saya), you can attach a possessive suffix to the noun. For example, bajuku also means “my shirt.” The form bajuku is more informal compared to the slightly more formal baju saya.