Learn Hardcore Malay: Saya duduk di tepi tingkap sambil membaca buku. - I sit by the window while reading a book.

The di acts as a locative preposition meaning “at” or “on.” In Malay, you place di directly before a location noun to show where something is. So di tepi tingkap literally means “at the side of the window.” In casual spoken Malay (or Indonesian), you might hear people drop di after certain verbs (e.g. duduk tepi tingkap), but in formal or written Malay you include it.

What does sambil mean and how is it used here?

sambil means “while” and expresses two simultaneous actions. It’s always followed by a verb in its base form. In this sentence, sambil membaca buku means “while reading a book.” Implicitly, the same subject (saya) is doing both actions.

Why is there no article like the before buku?

Malay does not use definite or indefinite articles such as the or a/an. Nouns stand alone, and you understand specificity from context. If you need to mark something as that book, you could add a demonstrative: buku itu (“that book”).

How do you indicate plural for buku if you read more than one book?

Malay nouns do not change form for plurality. You either rely on context or you can repeat the word: buku-buku (books) for emphasis, or use a number: dua buku (two books).

Could you start the sentence with the sambil clause, like Sambil membaca buku, saya duduk di tepi tingkap?

Yes. Placing the adverbial clause at the beginning is perfectly grammatical. Sambil membaca buku, saya duduk di tepi tingkap shifts a bit of focus onto the reading action first, but the overall meaning remains the same.

What’s the difference between sambil and sementara or ketika?

All three can translate as “while,” but:
• sambil is more colloquial and is followed directly by a verb (no subject in that clause).
• sementara and ketika are more formal or literary; they introduce full clauses (often with their own subject). E.g. sementara saya membaca… or ketika buku itu tiba….

Can I use jendela instead of tingkap?

In Malaysian standard Malay, tingkap is the usual word for “window.” jendela is understood but more common in Indonesian or in very formal writing. If you’re learning Malay (as in Malaysia or Brunei), stick with tingkap.

Can you drop saya and say Duduk di tepi tingkap sambil membaca buku?

Yes. Malay is a pro-drop language—when the subject is clear or unneeded, you can omit saya. Duduk di tepi tingkap sambil membaca buku is still natural and perfectly understandable.

How do you show the action is currently ongoing, like “I am sitting”?

To emphasize that it’s happening right now, insert sedang before the main verb:
Saya sedang duduk di tepi tingkap sambil membaca buku.
This makes it clear you are in the middle of those actions at this moment.