How to Use Interrogative Pronouns and Question Words in Malay

Understanding Interrogative Pronouns in Malay

Interrogative pronouns are words used to ask questions. In Malay, these pronouns help you inquire about people, things, places, reasons, and more. Mastering these words is essential for effective communication in Malay.

Common Malay Interrogative Pronouns and Their English Equivalents

Using Question Words in Malay Sentences

Malay question words often appear at the beginning of a sentence, similar to English. However, the sentence structure can be flexible. Let's look at some examples to understand how to form questions using these words.

• Siapa itu? (Who is that?)
• Apa ini? (What is this?)
• Di mana rumah kamu? (Where is your house?)
• Bila kamu datang? (When are you coming?)
• Mengapa kamu sedih? (Why are you sad?)
• Bagaimana cara membuatnya? (How to make it?)

Tips for Using Interrogative Pronouns in Malay

Here are some useful tips to help you use interrogative pronouns correctly in Malay:

1. Remember that 'Siapa' is used for people, while 'Apa' is used for things or concepts.
2. 'Di mana' is used to ask about locations or places.
3. 'Bila' asks about time or dates.
4. 'Mengapa' asks for reasons or causes, similar to 'Why'.
5. 'Bagaimana' asks about the manner or method, similar to 'How'.

Practice Examples with Interrogative Pronouns

Let's practice forming questions using interrogative pronouns in Malay. Try to translate the following English questions into Malay:

• Who is your teacher?
• What do you want to eat?
• Where is the market?
• When is the meeting?
• Why are you late?
• How do you go to school?

Answers:

• Siapa guru kamu?
• Apa yang kamu mahu makan?
• Di mana pasar?
• Bila mesyuarat?
• Mengapa kamu lewat?
• Bagaimana kamu pergi ke sekolah?

Common Mistakes to Avoid