Saya sedang membuang daun kering ke dalam tong hijau.

I am throwing the dry leaves into the green bin.

Breakdown of Saya sedang membuang daun kering ke dalam tong hijau.

• saya: I
• sedang: currently
• hijau: green
• kering: dry
• daun: the leaf
• ke dalam: into
• tong: the bin
• membuang: to throw away

Questions & Answers about Saya sedang membuang daun kering ke dalam tong hijau.

What is the function of sedang in this sentence?

sedang marks the continuous (progressive) aspect. Placed before the verb, it shows the action is happening right now. Without sedang, the sentence simply states the action as a fact, not that it’s in progress.

Can we omit sedang and still convey the same idea?

Yes. Saya membuang daun kering ke dalam tong hijau is perfectly correct. It means “I throw away dry leaves into the green bin” or “I am throwing away…,” but it doesn’t emphasise that the action is ongoing at this moment.

What is the root word of membuang, and what does the prefix me- do?

The root is buang (“to throw away”). The me- prefix turns a noun or adjective into an active, transitive verb. So membuang means “to throw away (something).”

Why is it ke dalam tong hijau instead of di dalam tong hijau?

• ke indicates movement toward a place (“into”).
• di indicates static location (“in/at”).
  Since the leaves are being thrown into the bin, you use ke dalam (“into the inside of”).

Can we say ke tong hijau instead of ke dalam tong hijau?

Yes. In everyday speech, ke tong hijau is common and understood as “into the green bin.” Including dalam simply emphasises going into the bin’s interior.

What does daun kering mean, and why is the adjective after the noun?

• daun = leaf
• kering = dry
  In Malay, adjectives follow the noun they describe. You cannot say kering daun; the correct order is daun kering.

What does tong mean, and are there other words for “bin” in Malay?

tong is a bin or drum. Other common terms include:

• tong sampah (“trash bin”)
• bakul sampah (“trash basket”)
• tempat sampah (“trash place/can”)
  Regional preference and formality determine which you choose.

How would you say “I will throw away the dry leaves tomorrow”?

Use the future marker akan and a time word:
Saya akan membuang daun kering ke dalam tong hijau esok.

Why is Saya used instead of Aku, and are there other pronouns for “we”?

• Saya is polite and neutral.
• Aku is informal or intimate.
  For “we,” use:
• kami (exclusive “we,” excluding the listener)
• kita (inclusive “we,” including the listener)