Saya menunggu bos di kaunter sempadan.

I wait for the boss at the border counter.

Breakdown of Saya menunggu bos di kaunter sempadan.

• saya: I
• di: at
• bos: the boss
• menunggu: to wait for
• kaunter sempadan: the border counter

Questions & Answers about Saya menunggu bos di kaunter sempadan.

How is menunggu formed from the root tunggu?

menunggu is the active transitive verb meaning “to wait (for someone).” It’s created by adding the prefix men- to the root tunggu. Because tunggu starts with t, the t is dropped during prefixation (assimilation):

• tunggu → menunggu

Why is there no word for “am” or “is” in “Saya menunggu bos…”?

Malay doesn’t use auxiliary verbs to mark the present continuous. The base verb alone can convey ongoing action. If you want to emphasize the continuous aspect, insert sedang before the verb:

• Saya sedang menunggu bos di kaunter sempadan.

What does bos mean and why isn’t it inflected for number?

bos is a loanword from English boss, adapted to Malay phonology. Malay does not add an -s plural ending; plural sense is inferred from context or by repeating the noun (e.g. bos-bos for “bosses”). Here, bos is singular.

What is the role of di in di kaunter sempadan?

di is a preposition meaning “at,” “in,” or “on” when showing location. It precedes a noun:

• di kaunter = “at the counter”
  By contrast, the prefix di- (no space) marks the passive voice on verbs (e.g. ditunggu “is waited for”).

Why is it di kaunter instead of ke kaunter?

• di = location (“at,” “in,” “on”)
• ke = direction (“to”)
  Since you’re waiting at the counter (not moving toward it), you use di.

What does kaunter sempadan mean and how is this phrase constructed?

kaunter sempadan is a compound noun:

• kaunter = “counter”
• sempadan = “border”
  Together they mean “border counter” (e.g. immigration or customs desk). No linking words are needed in Malay compound nouns.

Can I say Saya menunggu bos saya di kaunter sempadan to specify “my boss”?

Yes. To show possession, put the pronoun after the noun:

• bos saya = “my boss”
  So Saya menunggu bos saya di kaunter sempadan means “I am waiting for my boss at the border counter.”

Is it okay to drop saya and just say Menunggu bos di kaunter sempadan?

Yes—subject pronouns are often omitted when the context is clear. The sentence still makes sense, especially in spoken or informal Malay.

In casual speech, can I say Saya tunggu bos di kaunter sempadan instead of menunggu?

In colloquial Malay (Bahasa pasar), speakers often drop the meN- prefix and say tunggu. However, in formal or written Malay, you should use menunggu.