……
Breakdown of Baju sukan itu dipakai ketika bersenam.
itu
that
ketika
when
bersenam
to exercise
baju
the shirt
sukan
sports
dipakai
to be worn
Questions & Answers about Baju sukan itu dipakai ketika bersenam.
What is the function of itu in this sentence?
The word itu is a demonstrative pronoun meaning that. In Malay, demonstratives (ini for “this” and itu for “that”) follow the noun. Here baju sukan itu means that sports shirt, specifying which one is being discussed.
Why is dipakai used here instead of memakai?
Dipakai is the passive form of the verb pakai (to wear/use), formed by adding the passive prefix di- to the root. It means is worn. Memakai is the active verb to wear (focus on the person doing the wearing). The passive puts focus on the item (baju sukan) rather than the wearer.
How do you form the passive voice in Malay?
Most verbs form the passive by adding di- to the base form (e.g., pakai → dipakai, baca → dibaca). The doer (agent) is optional; if you need it, you add oleh (by). Example:
Active: Ali memakai baju sukan itu ketika bersenam.
Passive: Baju sukan itu dipakai oleh Ali ketika bersenam.
What does ketika mean and how is it used?
Ketika means when or during, used to introduce a time clause. It’s slightly more formal than bila. In this sentence, ketika bersenam means when (one is) exercising or during exercise.
What is bersenam and why does it have the prefix ber-?
Bersenam is an intransitive verb meaning to exercise. The prefix ber- often indicates an action performed by the subject without a direct object. Here, it turns senam (exercise) into bersenam (to do exercise).
Why is the time phrase ketika bersenam placed at the end of the sentence?
Malay is flexible with time expressions. You can place them at the beginning or the end. Putting ketika bersenam at the end emphasizes the main clause (dipakai) first, then adds the timing.
What is the subject of this passive sentence?
In a Malay passive sentence, the noun preceding the di- verb is the grammatical subject. Here, Baju sukan itu (that sports shirt) is the subject. The focus is on the shirt being worn, not on who wears it.
Can I use bila instead of ketika in this sentence?
Yes. Bila (when) is less formal but perfectly acceptable in speech or informal writing:
Baju sukan itu dipakai bila bersenam.
For a more formal or written style, ketika or semasa is preferred.
More from this lesson
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“What's the best way to learn Malay grammar?”
Malay grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.
Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor
Start learning MalayMaster Malay — from Baju sukan itu dipakai ketika bersenam to fluency
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.
- ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
- ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
- ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
- ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions