Learn Hardcore Malay: Saya sentiasa minum air segar selepas bersenam. - I always drink fresh water after exercising.

Sentiasa means always. It’s an adverb of frequency that indicates a continuous or habitual action without fail. In Malay, it normally appears between the subject and the verb—in this case, between Saya and minum. You can often swap it with selalu in casual speech, though selalu is more everyday, while sentiasa can sound slightly more formal or emphasize an unbroken habit.

What is the difference between air segar and air sejuk?

Air means water. Segar means fresh, whereas sejuk means cold. So air segar is literally fresh water (pure or cool natural water), and air sejuk is cold water, often referring to chilled or iced water.

Why doesn’t Malay use articles like “the” or “a” before air segar?

Malay has no definite or indefinite articles. Nouns stand alone without the or a/an. If you need to specify quantity or container, you add a classifier or descriptor. For example, segelas air segar means a glass of fresh water, where segelas is the classifier for “a glass of.”

Why is selepas used for “after,” and can I say lepas or setelah instead?

Selepas is the standard word for after in both speech and writing. Lepas is the informal spoken form, and setelah is more literary or formal. In casual conversation you can use lepas, but in written or official contexts it’s better to stick with selepas or setelah, depending on the tone you want.

What does the prefix ber- do in bersenam?

The prefix ber- turns the root noun senam (meaning exercise or gymnastics) into the intransitive verb bersenam, which means to exercise. It’s a common way in Malay to form verbs from nouns or adjectives.

Is there any difference between Saya and Aku for “I”?

Saya is a neutral, polite first-person pronoun suitable for most situations, from casual to formal. Aku is informal and intimate, used among close friends, family, or in lyrics/poetry. Using aku with strangers or in formal contexts can sound too casual or even rude.

Can I change the word order, for example Saya minum air segar selalu selepas bersenam?

Malay word order is flexible, but adverbs of frequency like sentiasa or selalu almost always come right after the subject and before the verb. Moving them after the object (as in your example) tends to sound awkward or unnatural.

Does minum only refer to drinking water, or can it mean other beverages?

Minum simply means to drink, regardless of the liquid. The object following it specifies what you drink—minum kopi (drink coffee), minum teh (drink tea), etc. In this sentence, air segar clarifies that you’re drinking fresh water.