Learn Hardcore Malay: Herba dari kebun itu dipotong dan dimasukkan ke dalam roti setiap hari. - Herbs from that garden are cut and put into the bread every day.

Herba is a loanword from Latin/English, meaning “herb.” In Malay it functions as a mass noun, so it can refer to one herb or herbs in general, depending on context.

Why is there no word for “the” before herba or kebun?

Malay does not have articles like “a” or “the.” Definiteness is shown by context or by adding demonstratives (e.g. itu = “that,” ini = “this”) after the noun.

What role does itu play in kebun itu?

Here itu is a demonstrative meaning “that.” Placed after kebun (“garden”), kebun itu = “that garden.” Without itu, kebun would be indefinite (“a garden” or “gardening” in general).

Why is dari used instead of daripada?

Both dari and daripada can mean “from.” Dari is shorter and more colloquial when indicating origin (location, time, material). Daripada is slightly more formal but interchangeable here.

How is the passive voice formed in Malay, as in dipotong and dimasukkan?

Passive verbs take the di- prefix on the root verb:
• potong (“cut”) → dipotong (“was cut”)
• masukkan (“insert/cause to enter”) → dimasukkan (“was inserted”)
The agent (doer) is usually omitted or introduced by oleh (“by”) if needed.

Why does the sentence use two passive verbs (dipotong and dimasukkan)?

Because it describes two sequential actions performed on the herbs: first they are cut (dipotong), then they are inserted (dimasukkan). Both are in passive to focus on the herbs rather than the doer.

What is the difference between ke and ke dalam in ke dalam roti?

Ke means “to/towards.” Ke dalam adds “inside/into.” So ke roti could mean “to the bread” (direction), while ke dalam roti specifically means “into the bread.”

Where does the time expression setiap hari fit in a Malay sentence?

Time adverbials like setiap hari (“every day”) usually come at the end of the sentence or right after the verb phrase. Here it follows the whole verb phrase: “…dim masukkan ke dalam roti setiap hari.”

If I wanted to make this active, how would I say it?

You could say:
Mereka memotong herba dari kebun itu dan memasukkannya ke dalam roti setiap hari.
Here memotong and memasukkan are active verbs (prefix meN-), and -nya attaches to refer back to “herbs.”

How do you express plurality for herba if you really need “many herbs”?

Malay often leaves mass nouns unmarked. To emphasize plurality you can use quantifiers or reduplication:
• beberapa herba = “several herbs”
• herba-herba = “herbs (plural)”
• Or just rely on context, since herba can already imply “herbs.”