Learn Hardcore Malay: Jawatan mana yang awak mahu?

Jawatan means position, post, or job title, especially in a work or organizational context. In this sentence, it refers to a role someone might choose or apply for.

Why is mana placed after jawatan?

In Malay, mana often comes after the noun when it means which. So:

jawatan mana = which position

This is different from English, where which usually comes before the noun.

What is yang doing in this sentence?

Yang is a very common Malay linker. Here, it connects jawatan mana with the clause awak mahu.

So the structure is roughly:

jawatan mana = which position
yang awak mahu = that you want

Literally, the sentence is close to:

Which position is it that you want?

In natural English, that becomes Which position do you want?

Could this sentence also be said as Awak mahu jawatan mana?