Learn Hardcore Malay: Saya berasa lemah selepas bersenam.

In Malay, rasa can mean “to taste,” “to think,” or “to feel” in a general sense (e.g. Saya rasa itu benar – I think that’s true). Adding the prefix ber- gives berasa, which specifically describes the physical or emotional sensation of feeling something firsthand. So Saya berasa lemah focuses on the actual feeling “I feel weak,” rather than simply “I think” or “I taste weak.”

Why does berasa have the prefix ber-, and what does it do?

The prefix ber- is common in Malay to form intransitive verbs indicating a state, action, or possession.

berasa = “to have a feeling” (from rasa)
bersenam = “to do exercise” (from senam, “gymnastics” or “exercise”)
It doesn’t drastically change the root’s meaning but turns the word into a verb you perform or experience.

What does lemah mean here, and is it the same as “tired”?

Lemah means “weak” – lacking strength physically or sometimes emotionally. It is not exactly “tired.” For “tired” you’d normally use letih.

Saya berasa lemah selepas bersenam. (I feel weak after exercising.)
Saya berasa letih selepas bersenam. (I feel tired after exercising.)

Why is there no copula (like adalah) between Saya and lemah?

Malay commonly omits linking verbs in simple subject–adjective or subject–noun sentences. Saying Saya lemah or Saya berasa lemah is perfectly natural. Inserting adalah (e.g. Saya adalah lemah) sounds overly formal or archaic in everyday speech.

How do we know when this happened since Malay verbs aren’t marked for tense?

Malay uses context or time markers instead of verb conjugation. In Saya berasa lemah selepas bersenam, it’s clear by selepas bersenam (“after exercising”) that the feeling follows the workout. If you need to specify further:
• Past: Saya berasa lemah selepas bersenam tadi, or Saya telah berasa lemah…
• Future: Saya akan berasa lemah selepas bersenam.

Can I place selepas bersenam at the beginning of the sentence?

Yes. Adverbial phrases of time are flexible. Both are correct:
• Saya berasa lemah selepas bersenam.
• Selepas bersenam, saya berasa lemah.
Fronting the phrase slightly emphasizes the time context.

How do I make the sentence negative?

Put tidak or the colloquial tak before the verb or predicate:
• Saya tidak berasa lemah selepas bersenam.
• Saya tak rasa lemah selepas bersenam.
Using rasa and tak is more casual.

How would I ask “Do you feel weak after exercising?” in Malay?

Formal:
• Adakah anda berasa lemah selepas bersenam?
Informal:
• Anda rasa lemah selepas bersenam?
You can also add a tag: …tak? as in Anda rasa lemah selepas bersenam, tak?

Are there other words for “exercise” or “weak” I could use?

For “exercise”:
• bersukan – to play sports
• jogging, gym – loanwords
For “weak” vs. “tired”:
• lemah – weak (lack of strength)
• letih – tired (fatigued)
Choosing depends on the nuance you want to convey.