Apakah ini?

Malay often leaves out the verb to be in simple equational sentences.

So English What is this? becomes literally something like What this? in Malay:

• apakah = what
• ini = this

That is completely normal Malay grammar.

Apakah means what?, but it is a more formal or standard-sounding form than plain apa.

It is basically:

• apa = what
• -kah = a question/focus particle

So apakah is a more marked interrogative form, often seen in writing, formal speech, definitions, surveys, textbooks, and official language.

-kah is a particle that helps mark a question or put focus on a question word.

In apakah, it makes the question sound more formal or structured. It does not change the core meaning from what to something else; it mainly affects style and tone.

Compare:

• Apa ini? = What is this?
• Apakah ini? = What is this? but more formal/bookish

It is understandable and correct, but it can sound formal, stiff, or textbook-like in casual speech.

In everyday conversation, people are more likely to say:

• Ini apa?
• Apa ini?

All of these can mean What is this?, but:

• Apakah ini? = formal
• Apa ini? = neutral
• Ini apa? = very common in speech

Malay allows different question patterns, and question words do not always have to go at the beginning in the same way as English.

For this meaning, common patterns include:

• Apakah ini?
• Apa ini?
• Ini apa?

English strongly prefers What is this?
Malay is more flexible.

That said:

• beginning with apakah/apa can sound more formal or direct
• ending with apa as in Ini apa? is very common in speech

The main difference is register and style, not basic meaning.

• Apakah ini? — formal, written, textbook, official
• Apa ini? — straightforward, fairly neutral
• Ini apa? — very natural in conversation

All can mean What is this?

A learner should recognize all three, but for casual spoken Malay, Ini apa? is especially useful.

Not exactly. Apakah is specifically tied to what-type questioning because it comes from apa.

For other question words, Malay uses different forms:

• siapa = who
• bila = when
• mana = which/where (depending on structure)
• mengapa/kenapa = why
• bagaimana = how

So apakah ini? means What is this?, not a general yes/no question marker by itself in this sentence.

Ini means this.
Itu means that.

So:

• Apakah ini? = What is this?
• Apakah itu? = What is that?

Use ini for something near the speaker, and itu for something farther away or already mentioned.

A simple approximate pronunciation is:

• apakah ≈ ah-pah-kah
• ini ≈ ee-nee

A fuller guide:

• a is usually like the a in father
• i is usually like ee in see
• stress in Malay is generally not as strong or dramatic as in English

So the whole sentence sounds roughly like: ah-pah-kah ee-nee?

Yes, in normal writing you would use a question mark:

Apakah ini?

In speech, the rising questioning intonation also helps show it is a question, but in writing the question mark is standard.

Yes. Both Malaysian Malay and Indonesian speakers would understand it easily.

However, in both languages it tends to sound somewhat formal. In everyday speech, people often prefer more casual alternatives such as:

• Ini apa?
• Apa ini?

So it is correct and widely understandable, but not always the most natural casual phrasing.

Yes. It is useful to learn because:

• you will see it in textbooks and formal writing
• it helps you understand how -kah works
• it is grammatically correct
• it expands your sense of Malay style and register

Just also learn the everyday versions:

• Apa ini?
• Ini apa?

That way you can both understand formal Malay and sound more natural in conversation.