Learn Hardcore Malay: Kawasan di belakang rumah saya bersih dan tenang. - The area behind my house is clean and quiet.

Kawasan means “area” or “zone.” You can use it for physical regions (e.g. kawasan perumahan – housing area) or more abstract contexts (e.g. kawasan perniagaan – business area).

Why is there no verb equivalent to “is” (like “is/am/are”) in the sentence?

Malay typically omits the copula in simple equational sentences. The state is understood without a linking verb. If you need extra formality or emphasis, you can insert adalah:
Kawasan di belakang rumah saya adalah bersih dan tenang.

Why do we use di belakang instead of just belakang?

Di is the preposition indicating location (“at/in/on”). Belakang by itself means “back” or “rear,” but to say “at the back of,” you need di belakang. Together they form “at the back.”

Why is the order rumah saya instead of saya rumah for “my house”?

Malaysian possessive structure is Noun + Pronoun. So rumah saya literally “house my.” You cannot invert it to saya rumah.

Why aren’t there any articles like “a” or “the” before kawasan?

Malay does not use definite or indefinite articles. Context lets you know if it’s specific or general. If you need to be explicit, you can add ini (this) or itu (that):
Kawasan ini (this area) / Kawasan itu (that area).

Can you join adjectives with dan, and do they change form?

Yes. Use dan for “and” between adjectives: bersih dan tenang. Malay adjectives do not agree in number or gender, so they stay the same.

Is it possible to include yang in the sentence?

Yes. Yang is a relative marker. You could say:
Kawasan yang di belakang rumah saya bersih dan tenang.
In everyday speech, however, yang is often dropped in simple descriptions.

How would I say “very clean and peaceful” instead of just “clean and peaceful”?

Add an intensifier like sangat before the adjective:
Kawasan di belakang rumah saya sangat bersih dan tenang.
You can repeat for both adjectives or place it once before the first.