Learn Hardcore Malay: Tanggungjawab kita penting untuk keluarga. - Our responsibility is important for the family.

Malay often omits the copula (the linking verb “is/are”) when a subject is followed by an adjective or noun complement. The structure here is Subject (Tanggungjawab kita) + Predicate (penting). If you want to include a copula for formality or emphasis, you can add adalah:
Tanggungjawab kita adalah penting untuk keluarga.

How does possession work in Tanggungjawab kita?

Possession in Malay is shown by placing the possessor after the noun. Here, kita (“we/our”) follows Tanggungjawab (“responsibility”), so literally it’s “responsibility of us,” i.e. “our responsibility.”

What’s the difference between kita and kami, since both translate as “we”?

Kita is the inclusive “we” (includes the listener). Kami is the exclusive “we” (excludes the listener). Using Tanggungjawab kita means “our responsibility” including everyone present; Tanggungjawab kami would mean “our responsibility” but not including you.

Is tanggungjawab singular or plural? How would I say responsibilities?

Malay nouns don’t change form for number. Tanggungjawab can mean one or many responsibilities, depending on context. To mark plural explicitly, you can reduplicate: tanggungjawab‐tanggungjawab (“responsibilities”) or use quantifiers like beberapa tanggungjawab (“several responsibilities”).

Why is untuk used before keluarga, and can I use bagi or kepada instead?

Untuk means “for” in the sense of purpose or benefit. You could also say Tanggungjawab kita penting bagi keluarga; bagi is more formal but similar. Kepada usually marks an indirect object (“to someone”) and is less natural in this context.

What is the literal composition of the word tanggungjawab?

It’s a compound of tanggung (“to bear” or “to carry”) + jawab (“to answer” or “reply”), collectively meaning “responsibility.”

Can I move untuk keluarga or penting around in the sentence?

Malay word order is fairly flexible, but the typical pattern here is Subject–Predicate–Object. You can say Tanggungjawab kita untuk keluarga penting without changing meaning. Starting with Penting (e.g., Penting tanggungjawab kita untuk keluarga) is grammatically possible but sounds poetic or emphatic.

How would I say “our family responsibilities are important”?

If you want family to modify responsibilities, use:
Tanggungjawab keluarga kita penting.
Literally, “responsibilities of our family are important.” You can also add adalah for formality:
Tanggungjawab keluarga kita adalah penting.