Learn Hardcore Malay: Saya mendapat idea baru pagi ini.

mendapat literally means to get, to obtain, or to receive. It’s formed by adding the meN- prefix to the root dapat. In casual speech, you might also hear dapat on its own as “get,” but dapat can also mean “can/able to,” so mendapat is clearer when you want “get/obtain.”

Why isn’t there a past-tense word like “did” or “got”? How do we know it’s past?

Malay doesn’t change the verb form for tense. Instead, you use time markers like pagi ini (this morning) to show when something happened. The listener understands the action is in the past because pagi ini refers to earlier today.

What does pagi ini mean and why is it at the end of the sentence?

pagi ini means this morning. Time expressions in Malay are flexible: they can go at the beginning (Pagi ini saya mendapat idea baru), in the middle, or at the end, as here, without changing the meaning.

What does baru mean in idea baru? Can baru mean “just”?

After a noun, baru means new, so idea baru = new idea. When used before a verb or adjective, baru can mean just (just now), as in saya baru tiba (“I just arrived”).

Is idea an English word? How is it used in Malay?

idea is a loanword from English (and earlier from Portuguese). It’s fully adopted in Malay to mean idea or concept, with the same plural form often just idea or sometimes idea-idea for emphasis.

Can I move pagi ini to the beginning or middle of the sentence?

Yes. Malay word order is S-V-O, but adverbials like pagi ini are flexible. You can say Pagi ini saya mendapat idea baru, Saya pagi ini mendapat idea baru, or Saya mendapat idea baru pagi ini—all are natural.

What’s the difference between mendapat and memperoleh?

Both verbs mean to obtain or to acquire. mendapat is common in everyday speech, while memperoleh is more formal or literary, but their meanings overlap in most contexts.