Learn Hardcore Malay: Basuh tangan sebelum tambah garam ke dalam kari. - Wash your hands before adding salt into the curry.

In Malay imperatives (commands), the subject is usually omitted and implied to be you. So Basuh tangan literally means (You) wash (your) hands. The listener is understood, so no explicit pronoun is needed.

What does sebelum mean and how is it used in this sentence?

Sebelum means before. It links two actions in time:
• basuh tangan happens first
• tambah garam ke dalam kari happens after
It’s placed directly before the verb of the second action. You can also start a sentence with Sebelum (e.g. Sebelum menambah garam ke dalam kari, basuh tangan) followed by a comma.

Why is tambah used instead of menambah or tambahkan? Which form should I use for add?

All three can mean to add, but they differ in formality and focus:
• tambah – root verb, common in spoken/colloquial Malay for simple instructions.
• menambah – dictionary form with the meN- prefix, more formal/written.
• tambahkan – root plus -kan suffix; a transitive imperative that conveys please add.

For everyday speech, tambah is fine; in formal writing use menambah; for a polite command use tambahkan or add Sila.

What’s the difference between ke dalam kari and just dalam kari?

• ke dalam (into) indicates motion into something.
• dalam (in) indicates static location.

Since you are adding salt into the curry, ke dalam kari is more precise than dalam kari, which would simply describe salt already in the curry.

Why doesn’t the sentence include a possessive for tangan? How do I say your hands in Malay?

Malay often drops possessives when context is clear. Tangan alone implies your hands here. To specify, you can add a pronoun:
• Basuh tangan anda – wash your hands (formal/neutral)
• Basuh tanganmu – wash your hands (informal)

There are no articles before garam or kari. How does Malay handle the or a?

Malay doesn’t use definite/indefinite articles like a, an, the. You rely on context:
• garam can mean salt, some salt, or the salt.
To be explicit you can use:
– garam itu – the salt
– sebiji garam or sedikit garam – a bit of salt
– garam ini – this salt

Can I reorder the sentence and start with Sebelum?

Yes. You can put the time clause first, then a comma, then the main command. For example:
Sebelum menambah garam ke dalam kari, basuh tangan.
Just be consistent with your choice of tambah or menambah, and remember the comma for clarity.

How can I make this instruction more polite or formal?

You can:
• Add Sila at the start: Sila basuh tangan sebelum menambah garam ke dalam kari.
• Soften the command with -lah: Basuhlah tangan sebelum menambah garam ke dalam kari.
• Include a pronoun: Sila basuh tangan anda sebelum menambah garam ke dalam kari.

Could I use masukkan garam ke dalam kari instead of tambah? What’s the difference between masukkan and tambah in cooking?

Masukkan comes from masuk (enter) + -kan, meaning to put into; it emphasises placing something inside. Tambah simply means to add, focusing on increasing quantity.

In cooking:
• Tambah garam – add salt (general instruction)
• Masukkan garam ke dalam kari – put the salt into the curry (highlights the motion into the pot)

Both are correct; tambah is more idiomatic for adding ingredients, while masukkan highlights the physical action.