Learn Hardcore Malay: Feri bergerak perlahan ke selatan kerana angin kuat pagi ini. - The ferry moves slowly south because the wind is strong this morning.

feri is a loanword from English meaning “ferry.” Malay does not use definite or indefinite articles like “the” or “a.” Whether you translate feri as “the ferry” or “a ferry” depends entirely on context.

Why is the verb bergerak used here, and what does the prefix ber- do?

bergerak means “to move.” The prefix ber- forms an intransitive verb from the root gerak (“move”), indicating the subject moves by itself. If you need to say “to move something,” you’d use menggerakkan with an object.

What is perlahan, and how is it different from lambat?

perlahan is an adverb meaning “slowly,” describing the manner of movement. lambat can also mean “slow,” but it often refers to time (e.g., “arrive late”) rather than pace. To express “move slowly,” bergerak perlahan is more natural.

Can you say perlahan-lahan here, and what effect does reduplication have?

Yes, perlahan-lahan also means “slowly,” with reduplication adding emphasis or highlighting the gradual nature of the action. Malay uses reduplication to intensify meaning or indicate repeated/continuous actions.

What does ke selatan mean, and are there alternative ways to say “southward”?

ke selatan means “to the south.” ke is a preposition for motion toward a place, and selatan is “south.” You could also say menuju selatan (“heading south”) or ke arah selatan (“toward the south”), but ke selatan is the most concise.

What is the function of kerana, and how does it differ from sebab?

kerana is a conjunction meaning “because.” It’s slightly more formal than sebab, which is common in speech. Both link cause and effect, but sebab can also serve as a noun meaning “reason,” whereas kerana is only a conjunction.

Why is angin kuat in that order? Could you say kuat angin?

In Malay, adjectives follow the noun they modify. angin (“wind”) comes first, then kuat (“strong”). kuat angin would be ungrammatical; always say angin kuat for “strong wind.”

What does pagi ini mean, and why is it placed at the end? Can it move?

pagi ini means “this morning.” Time expressions in Malay are flexible: you can start with pagi ini (Pagi ini feri bergerak…) or place it at the end for emphasis. Moving it changes the focus but not the correctness.

Why isn’t there a subject after kerana? Is it always omitted?

Malay often omits the subject in subordinate clauses when it’s clear from context. Here, “the ferry” is understood as affected by the winds, so you don’t repeat it after kerana.

Could we say kerana angin yang kuat instead of kerana angin kuat?

Yes. yang kuat (“that is strong”) is a relative clause marker. angin yang kuat is slightly more formal or emphatic, but both angin kuat and angin yang kuat are correct.