Saya menunggu di kaunter bayaran.

I am waiting at the payment counter.

Breakdown of Saya menunggu di kaunter bayaran.

• saya: I
• di: at
• menunggu: to wait
• kaunter bayaran: the payment counter

Questions & Answers about Saya menunggu di kaunter bayaran.

How do we translate Saya menunggu in terms of tense and aspect?

In Malay, verbs aren’t marked for tense. Saya menunggu can mean I wait, I am waiting, or even I’ll wait, depending on context. To explicitly show an ongoing action you can add the particle sedang, but even without it the listener usually understands you’re waiting right now.

What role does sedang play if I include it? Is it mandatory?

The adverb sedang marks the continuous or progressive aspect. So Saya sedang menunggu literally emphasises “I am waiting (right now).” It’s not mandatory—Malay often relies on context for aspect—but adding sedang removes any ambiguity about timing.

What does the preposition di indicate here?

The preposition di indicates location, similar to at, in, or on in English. In di kaunter bayaran, it means “at the payment counter.”

What is kaunter bayaran, and why not kaunter pembayaran?

Kaunter bayaran literally means payment counter. Both bayaran and pembayaran come from the verb bayar (to pay), but:

• bayaran generally refers to the payment itself or the facility/place handling payments
• pembayaran often refers to the process of paying
  In everyday usage and signage in Malaysia, kaunter bayaran is the standard term.

Can I reverse the order and say Di kaunter bayaran, saya menunggu? Does that change the meaning?

Yes. Di kaunter bayaran, saya menunggu simply fronts the location for emphasis. The overall meaning—“I’m waiting at the payment counter”—remains unchanged.

How would I say I’ve been waiting at the payment counter for 10 minutes?

To add a duration, use selama. For example:
Saya menunggu di kaunter bayaran selama 10 minit.
If you want to stress that you’ve already waited that long, you can also include sudah or telah:
Saya sudah menunggu di kaunter bayaran selama 10 minit.

Is it okay to drop Saya and just say Menunggu di kaunter bayaran?

Yes. Malay is a pro-drop language, so if the subject is clear from context, you can simply say Menunggu di kaunter bayaran. It reads like a short note or announcement (“Waiting at the payment counter”). Adding Saya makes it a full sentence and adds clarity or formality.