Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Malay grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Saya ada latihan malam ini.
What exactly does ada mean here, and why is it used to express “have”?
In Malay, ada functions as a verb meaning both “to exist/there is” and informally “to have.” When placed after a possessor (e.g., saya), it indicates possession: saya ada latihan → “I have practice.” It’s a colloquial, everyday way to say “have.”
Can I use mempunyai instead of ada to say “I have training tonight”?
Yes. Mempunyai is a more formal verb meaning “to own/have.” Saya mempunyai latihan malam ini is grammatically correct and more formal. However, in spoken or informal Malay, ada is far more common than mempunyai.
Why isn’t there an article like a before latihan? Should it be something like saya ada satu latihan?
Malay does not use articles such as “a” or “the.” Latihan (practice/training) doesn’t need an article. You can add satu (“one”) or a classifier for emphasis or specificity—e.g., saya ada satu latihan malam ini (“I have one practice session tonight”)—but it’s often omitted.
Is it correct to add the preposition pada, as in saya ada latihan pada malam ini?
Yes, you can insert pada (“on/at”) before a time phrase: saya ada latihan pada malam ini. It’s grammatically fine and slightly more formal, but native speakers often drop pada in casual speech.
Why is malam ini placed at the end? Can I say malam ini saya ada latihan?
The default word order in Malay is Subject–Verb–Object–Time: saya (S) ada latihan (V–O) malam ini (T). You can move the time phrase to the front for emphasis or style: malam ini saya ada latihan is acceptable and means the same, with a slight focus on “tonight.”
Does ada change form for different pronouns? For example, dia ada, kami ada—is that right?
Yes. Ada is invariable and does not conjugate or change with different pronouns. You use it the same way with saya, kamu, dia, kita, etc.: dia ada latihan (“he/she has practice”), kami ada latihan (“we have practice”).
How do I pronounce latihan correctly? Is there any stress pattern I should follow?
Latihan is pronounced as /la-ˈti-han/, with the stress on the second syllable. The h in the last syllable is clearly pronounced.
Could latihan also mean something like “class” or “workout,” or is it only for sports practice?
Latihan broadly means “training,” “practice,” or “drill.” It can refer to sports, music rehearsals, military drills, or professional training. For a classroom “lesson” or “class,” Malay speakers often use kelas or pelajaran, so latihan is more active/practical than a standard class.