Learn Hardcore Malay: Kereta api akan tiba dalam masa sepuluh minit.

Yes. Kereta api is a fixed two-word compound meaning “train.” Literally it’s “vehicle + fire,” a historical reference to steam trains. In modern Malay:

kereta on its own usually means “car.”
api means “fire.” So you can’t drop api if you mean “train.” You can also hear the loanword tren for “train,” especially in signage and media, but kereta api is very common and fully standard.

Is the sentence talking about “the train” or “a train”? How does Malay show singular/plural or definiteness?

Malay has no articles like “a” or “the,” and nouns don’t change for plural by default. Context does the work.

To make it definite, add itu: Kereta api itu = “the train.”
To say “a/one train,” use a numeral (optionally with a classifier): sebuah kereta api or just satu kereta api.
To make it plural, use a number or a quantifier: dua kereta api, beberapa kereta api, banyak kereta api. Reduplication for plural exists but is rarely needed here.

What does akan do? Is it required?

Akan marks future time (“will”). It’s optional when time is clear from context.

With akan (more explicit/formal): Kereta api akan tiba…
Without akan (still future because of the time phrase): Kereta api tiba dalam (masa) sepuluh minit. Announcements and formal writing often keep akan; everyday speech may drop it.

What’s the difference between tiba, sampai, and datang for “arrive/come”?

tiba = arrive (formal/neutral; common in announcements, timetables).
sampai = arrive/reach (very common in speech; also means “until” in other contexts).
datang = come (toward the speaker). It’s not the usual choice for scheduled arrivals: use tiba or sampai instead. Example: Tren (kereta api) akan sampai/tiba dalam sepuluh minit.

Does dalam masa sepuluh minit differ from dalam sepuluh minit or sepuluh minit lagi?

dalam masa sepuluh minit = within/in ten minutes (slightly formal; announcement style).
dalam sepuluh minit = in ten minutes (shorter, very common).
sepuluh minit lagi = ten more minutes from now → in ten minutes (colloquial).
dalam sepuluh minit lagi = in another ten minutes (explicit). Nuance: dalam (masa) can suggest “within,” i.e., up to ten minutes; (… ) minit lagi usually reads as “in exactly … minutes.” Context reduces this difference in everyday use.

How do I say “for ten minutes” (duration) vs “in ten minutes” (time until)?

“for ten minutes” = selama sepuluh minit.
“in ten minutes” = dalam (masa) sepuluh minit or sepuluh minit lagi. Examples:
Kelas berhenti selama sepuluh minit. (The class stops for ten minutes.)
Kereta api akan tiba dalam sepuluh minit. / Kereta api akan tiba sepuluh minit lagi. (Arrives in ten minutes.)

Can I move the time phrase to the front?

Yes. Time/place adverbials can be fronted for emphasis.

Dalam (masa) sepuluh minit, kereta api akan tiba.
Sepuluh minit lagi, kereta api akan sampai. The meaning stays the same; fronting just highlights the timeframe.

Where does negation go with akan? Is it tidak akan or akan tidak?

Use tidak akan before the verb: Kereta api tidak akan tiba (“will not arrive”). For “not yet,” use belum:

Kereta api belum tiba. (The train hasn’t arrived yet.) Do not say akan tidak tiba.

Is dalam masa good style, or should I just say dalam?

Both are fine. Dalam masa is common in formal speech and writing (e.g., announcements), while dalam alone is shorter and very common in everyday use. Choose based on tone:

Formal: Kereta api akan tiba dalam masa sepuluh minit.
Neutral: Kereta api akan tiba dalam sepuluh minit.

How would this be said more casually?

Natural informal variants:

Tren sampai dalam 10 minit.
Lagi 10 minit, tren sampai.
Kereta api sampai dalam 10 minit. Dropping akan and using sampai and digits is typical in speech or messaging.

How do Malaysians pronounce the words here?

Approximate guide (caps show the stressed syllable; vowels are pure):

kereta: kə-RE-ta
api: AH-pee
akan: AH-kahn
tiba: TEE-bah
dalam: DAH-lahm
masa: MAH-sah
sepuluh: sə-POO-loh
minit: MEE-neet Stress is light and usually on the second-to-last syllable.

Is minit the same as Indonesian menit? Any other cross-variant differences?

Yes. Malay (Malaysia/Brunei) uses minit; Indonesian uses menit. Both use kereta api for “train,” but Indonesian often says stasiun (station) while Malay uses stesen. The sentence in Indonesian would look like: Kereta api akan tiba dalam sepuluh menit.

Can I use a classifier with “train,” like “one train”?

Yes, the general classifier buah works for vehicles: sebuah kereta api = “one train.” You can also just use the number: satu kereta api. In practice people more often use numbers/quantifiers than classifiers for trains.

If I want to give an exact clock time instead, what preposition do I use?

Use pada with clock time (pukul):

Kereta api akan tiba pada pukul tiga. (The train will arrive at 3 o’clock.) Use jam for durations (dua jam = two hours), and pukul for specific clock times.