Learn Hardcore Malay: Jalan pintas ke stesen itu sehala dan agak sempit. - The shortcut to the station is one-way and rather narrow.

jalan means “road” or “way,” and pintas means “shortcut.” Together jalan pintas is a compound noun meaning shortcut (literally “shortcut road/way”).

How do ke and itu function in ke stesen itu?

ke is a preposition meaning to, used for destinations.
itu is a demonstrative pronoun meaning that, used to specify something further.
So ke stesen itu literally means to that station.

Why is the demonstrative itu placed after the noun rather than before it?

In Malay, demonstratives (like ini “this” and itu “that”) follow the noun they modify.
Examples:
• buku itu = that book
• rumah ini = this house

Why isn’t there a word for “is” in the sentence?

Malay often uses a zero copula in adjectival or nominal sentences, omitting any verb equivalent to “is.” The linking is understood from word order.
English: “The shortcut to that station is one-way and somewhat narrow.”
Malay: Jalan pintas ke stesen itu sehala dan agak sempit.

What does sehala mean and why is it placed after jalan pintas?

sehala means one-way. Like demonstratives and other adjectives, Malay adjectives follow the noun they describe.
• jalan pintas sehala = “one-way shortcut”

What role does agak play in agak sempit?

agak is a degree adverb meaning rather, quite, or somewhat. It modifies the adjective that follows.
• agak sempit = “rather narrow” or “somewhat narrow”

Why aren’t there plural markers on jalan or stesen?

Malay usually doesn’t mark plurality on nouns. Number is inferred from context or indicated by:

Repetition (e.g., buku-buku for books)
Numerals or quantifiers (e.g., dua stesen for two stations)
Here, jalan pintas and stesen itu are understood as singular from context.

What does the conjunction dan do here?

dan means and, linking two coordinate adjectives (sehala and agak sempit) to describe the same noun.
• sehala dan agak sempit = “one-way and somewhat narrow”