Learn Hardcore Malay: Kita pakai topi sebab matahari terik dan serangga suka cahaya. - We wear hats because the sun is hot and insects like light.

Kita means “we” inclusive of both speaker and listener. Kami means “we” exclusive of the listener. So kita pakai topi implies you and I both wear hats, whereas kami pakai topi would mean I and others (but not you) wear hats.

Why is pakai used instead of memakai or menggunakan?

Pakai is the base verb “to wear” or “to use” in everyday speech. Memakai is its formal/more written form (with the me- prefix). Menggunakan also means “to use” but typically refers to tools or objects in general, not clothing.

What does sebab mean, and when would I use kerana instead?

Sebab means “because” and is very common in spoken Malay. Kerana also means “because” but feels more formal or literary, so you’d choose kerana in essays or formal letters and sebab in casual conversation.

What exactly does matahari terik convey?

Matahari is “sun” and terik is “scorching,” “blazing,” or “very bright/hot.” Together, matahari terik paints the image of a mercilessly hot, bright sun.

In serangga suka cahaya, why isn’t there a preposition like “to” as in English “attracted to light”?

Malay often drops prepositions that English requires. Here suka means “like,” so it literally reads “insects like light.” If you want to be more formal you could say serangga tertarik kepada cahaya (“insects are attracted to light”), but serangga suka cahaya is shorter and perfectly natural.

Why are there no articles (“a” or “the”) before matahari, serangga, or cahaya?

Malay has no definite or indefinite articles. You simply state the noun. Context usually makes clear whether you mean “a,” “the,” or “some.” If you need to specify you can use words like itu (“that”) or sebuah (“a” for certain objects).

How do you pronounce terik, and which syllable is stressed?

Terik is pronounced /təˈrik/, with the stress on the second syllable (-rik). The e sounds like the “e” in “bed,” and the i is like the “ee” in “see.”

Could this be split into two sentences—“Kita pakai topi. Sebab matahari terik dan serangga suka cahaya.”—or is it better combined?

You could split it, but combining with sebab (because) and dan (and) in one sentence is more idiomatic in Malay. It flows naturally to list both reasons together rather than pausing between them.