Saya terkejut apabila awak tiba lewat di kelas.

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Questions & Answers about Saya terkejut apabila awak tiba lewat di kelas.

What does terkejut mean and how does the prefix ter- function in this word?
Terkejut comes from the root kejut (“startle/wake up”) plus the prefix ter-, which here marks a passive or involuntary state. In other words, terkejut literally means “to be startled” or “to be surprised.” In this sentence it functions like an adjective/predicate: “I was surprised.”
Why is apabila used here instead of bila or ketika?

All three can mean “when,” but differ in register and nuance:

  • apabila is somewhat formal or neutral, common in both written and spoken contexts.
  • ketika is also neutral to formal, slightly more literary.
  • bila is informal and more conversational.
    You could say Bila awak tiba lewat di kelas, saya terkejut in casual speech, but in writing apabila or ketika sound more polished.
What role does tiba play here, and how is it different from datang?

Both tiba and datang can mean “come,” but:

  • tiba focuses on the moment or point of arrival (“arrive”).
  • datang emphasizes the action or process of coming.
    In this context, you’re commenting on the arrival event itself, so tiba (“arrived late”) is more idiomatic.
Why is it di kelas and not ke kelas?

With tiba, you use di + location to indicate where you arrive.

  • tiba di kelas = “arrive at the class.”
    By contrast, ke kelas marks movement toward the class (with verbs like pergi “go” or datang “come”): pergi ke kelas, datang ke kelas.
How is lewat functioning in tiba lewat? Is it an adjective or an adverb?
Here lewat modifies the verb tiba, so it’s acting as an adverb: “arrived late.” As a standalone word lewat can also appear as an adjective (“late”), but in this sentence it tells us when the arrival happened.
What kind of pronoun is awak, and how does it differ from kamu and anda?

Awak is a neutral second-person pronoun – polite yet familiar.

  • kamu is more casual, often used among close friends or when addressing juniors.
  • anda is the most formal/polite, common in customer service or very polite contexts.
    Choosing awak here strikes a balance: respectful but not overly formal.
Why is saya used instead of aku in this sentence?
Saya is the standard, polite first-person pronoun suitable for most situations (formal or informal). Aku is intimate and very casual, typically reserved for close friends or family. Using saya keeps the tone neutral.
Can I omit apabila and simply say “Saya terkejut awak tiba lewat di kelas.”? Will it still be correct?

Yes. Malay often allows you to drop conjunctions when the relationship is clear.

  • Saya terkejut awak tiba lewat di kelas.
    This direct style is natural in everyday speech. You can add a comma for clarity: “Saya terkejut, awak tiba lewat di kelas.”
Is it possible to rearrange the sentence as “Apabila awak tiba lewat di kelas, saya terkejut.”? Does that change the emphasis?

Absolutely. Placing the when-clause first is perfectly grammatical:

Apabila awak tiba lewat di kelas, saya terkejut.

This format simply foregrounds the circumstance (your late arrival) and then states the reaction, but the overall meaning remains the same.