Payung ini ringan.

This umbrella is light.

Breakdown of Payung ini ringan.

• ini: this
• adalah: to be
• payung: the umbrella
• ringan: light

Questions & Answers about Payung ini ringan.

Why is there no word for is in Payung ini ringan?

In Malay, descriptive sentences with adjectives normally use a zero-copula—there’s no verb equivalent to is. You simply say Payung ini ringan (“this umbrella light”). In very formal or literary Malay you can sometimes insert adalah (e.g. Payung ini adalah ringan), but this is uncommon in everyday speech, especially with adjectives.

What does ini mean, and why does it follow payung instead of coming before it?

ini is the proximal demonstrative, meaning “this.” Malay noun phrases usually place the demonstrative after the noun: payung ini = “this umbrella.” Putting ini before payung (as in ini payung) is only used when ini functions as a pronoun (“this is an umbrella”), not as a modifier within a noun phrase.

Could I say ini payung to mean “this umbrella”?

Only in a sentence like Ini payung saya (“This is my umbrella”), where ini acts as the pronoun “this.” But if you want to label or identify the thing as “this umbrella” within a noun phrase, you must say payung ini. So ini payung by itself won’t function as “this umbrella” in the same way as English.

What part of speech is ringan?

ringan is an adjective meaning “light” (in weight). In Malay, adjectives generally follow the noun they describe when used attributively or predicatively.

How do I make the negative of Payung ini ringan?

To negate an adjective, use tidak before it:
Payung ini tidak ringan = “This umbrella is not light.”
(Remember, tidak negates verbs and adjectives, while bukan is used to negate nouns or nominal clauses.)

How would I ask “Is this umbrella light?” in Malay?

In formal Malay you can use adakah:
Adakah payung ini ringan?
In colloquial speech you’d more likely say:
Payung ini ringan tak?
(Or Payung ini ringan ke?)

How do I compare the weight of two umbrellas?

Use lebih … daripada for comparisons:
Payung ini lebih ringan daripada payung itu.
= “This umbrella is lighter than that umbrella.”

How can I say “very light” or “extremely light”?

You can intensify ringan with adverbs like sangat or by adding sekali:
Payung ini sangat ringan.
Payung ini ringan sekali.
Both mean “This umbrella is very/extremely light.”

What’s the difference between ini and itu?

ini = “this” (near the speaker)
itu = “that” (far from the speaker)
So payung ini = “this umbrella” (here) and payung itu = “that umbrella” (over there).

I’ve also seen payung ringan ini. Is that the same as Payung ini ringan?

They’re related but not identical in structure.
• Payung ini ringan is a full sentence: “This umbrella is light.”
• payung ringan ini is an attributive noun phrase: “this light umbrella.” You could use it in a sentence, e.g. Saya beli payung ringan ini = “I bought this light umbrella.” By itself, payung ringan ini isn’t a complete predicate.