Breakdown of Ubat cacing untuk parasit, bukan kutu.
untuk
for
bukan
not
ubat cacing
the deworming medicine
kutu
the tick or flea
Questions & Answers about Ubat cacing untuk parasit, bukan kutu.
Why is it ubat cacing and not cacing ubat?
In Malay, the main noun usually comes first, and any word that describes it comes after.
So:
- ubat = medicine
- cacing = worm
Together, ubat cacing means worm medicine or dewormer.
This is the normal Malay pattern:
- rumah besar = big house
- air panas = hot water
- ubat cacing = worm medicine
English often puts the describing word first, but Malay usually puts it after the noun.
Does ubat cacing literally mean medicine worm?
Yes, literally it is something like medicine [for] worms. Malay often leaves out little linking words that English would require.
So ubat cacing is a very natural compact expression meaning:
- worm medicine
- deworming medicine
- medicine for worms
This kind of noun + noun combination is very common in Malay.
Why is there no word for is in this sentence?