Saya periksa peti surat setiap pagi.

I check the mailbox every morning.

Breakdown of Saya periksa peti surat setiap pagi.

• saya: I
• setiap: every
• pagi: the morning
• periksa: to check
• peti surat: the mailbox

Questions & Answers about Saya periksa peti surat setiap pagi.

Why is the verb periksa used here instead of the full form memeriksa?

In everyday spoken Malay, it’s common to drop the meN- prefix on verbs to form a simpler root like periksa. The full, formal form memeriksa is still correct (especially in writing), but most speakers say periksa for present or habitual actions.

How do you express past or future tense when Malay verbs don’t change form?

Malay verbs are not inflected for tense. Instead, you use time markers or auxiliaries:

• For past: sudah or telah before the verb, e.g. Saya sudah periksa peti surat. (I have checked the mailbox.)
• For future: akan before the verb, e.g. Saya akan periksa peti surat. (I will check the mailbox.)

Why isn’t there an article like the or a before peti surat?

Malay has no definite or indefinite articles. Nouns stand alone; context tells you whether it’s definite or not. If you want to specify, you can add a demonstrative or possessive:

• peti surat itu (that mailbox)
• peti surat saya (my mailbox)

What exactly does peti surat mean?

It’s a compound noun: peti means “box” and surat means “letter,” so peti surat literally means “letterbox” or “mailbox.”

Can you drop saya and still convey the same meaning?

Yes. Malay is a pro-drop language: if the subject is clear from context, you can omit it.

• Periksa peti surat setiap pagi. (Still understood as “I check the mailbox every morning.”)

What does setiap pagi mean, and can you move it around in the sentence?

setiap = every; pagi = morning. Together they mean “every morning.” Time expressions in Malay are flexible:

• Setiap pagi, saya periksa peti surat.
• Saya periksa peti surat setiap pagi.
  Both are correct.

Could you use tiap pagi instead of setiap pagi?

Yes. tiap is a shortened, slightly more informal form of setiap, so tiap pagi also means “every morning.”

How would you ask “Do you check your mailbox every morning?” in Malay?

Colloquially, you can add tak at the end:

• Awak periksa peti surat setiap pagi tak?
  Formally, use Adakah at the start:
• Adakah awak periksa peti surat setiap pagi?

Is there another verb you could use instead of periksa for “check”?

Yes, semak is another common verb meaning “to check” or “verify.” You could say:

• Saya semak peti surat setiap pagi.
  periksa often implies a more thorough inspection, while semak is more like a quick check or verification.

How would you say “I always check the mailbox every morning” to emphasize the habit?

You can add selalu (always) before the verb:

• Saya selalu periksa peti surat setiap pagi.
  This underscores that it’s a consistent habit.

How can you say “I haven’t checked the mailbox yet today”?

Use belum (not yet) with lagi (anymore/yet):

• Saya belum periksa peti surat lagi hari ini.
  Or using semak: Saya belum semak peti surat lagi hari ini.