Learn Hardcore Malay: Saya gagal melihat matahari terbit di gunung kerana langit terlalu gelap. - I failed to see the sun rise on the mountain because the sky was too dark.

gagal lulus – failed to pass
gagal menyiapkan – failed to complete
You can also say gagal + me-verb (like gagal memaham i) to indicate an unsuccessful attempt.

Why does the sentence use gagal melihat instead of tidak dapat melihat?

Both express inability, but with a nuance:

gagal melihat suggests you tried to see but didn’t succeed (emphasis on the failed attempt).
tidak dapat melihat simply states you couldn’t see (emphasis on the inability).

What is the role of di in di gunung? Does it mean “in,” “on,” or “at”?

The preposition di marks location and can mean “in,” “on,” or “at,” depending on context. Here, di gunung is “at/on the mountain.” If you want to stress “on top of,” you can say di atas gunung.

Could we use kepada gunung instead of di gunung?

No, kepada is a preposition for direction or recipient (“to/for”), not location. To indicate location, you need di.

How does matahari terbit translate to “sunrise,” and why is terbit used here?

matahari = sun
terbit = “to rise” (natural or involuntary action, marked by the prefix ter-)
Together matahari terbit literally means “sun rises.” The prefix ter- often describes things happening on their own (e.g., terbakar – gets burned).

Can we replace melihat with menyaksikan or memerhati?

melihat = to see (neutral, general)
menyaksikan = to witness (more formal, implies importance)
memerhati = to observe (more deliberate, careful watching)
Each choice shifts nuance, but melihat is your simplest “to see.”

What does kerana mean? Are there alternative words for “because”?

kerana means “because.” Alternatives include:

sebab (more informal)
oleh kerana (slightly more formal/archaic)
kerna (poetic/archaic; you’ll see this in older texts)

Why is there no -nya suffix on langit? Could we say langitnya?

You can add -nya to specify “the sky” (langitnya terlalu gelap), but it’s optional. In Malay, possessive or definite suffixes (-nya) are often dropped when context is clear.

What role does terlalu play in langit terlalu gelap? Are there other ways to say “too dark”?

terlalu = “too” (excessively)
Other intensifiers are amat or sangat, but they mean “very,” not necessarily “too”:

amat gelap – very dark
sangat gelap – very dark
If you want the “too” sense (too much), stick to terlalu.

Could we omit Saya at the beginning?

Yes. Malay often drops the subject when it’s clear from context:

Gagal melihat matahari terbit…
This sounds natural in spoken or informal written Malay.