Understanding Malay Numbers: Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers Explained

Introduction to Malay Numbers

Numbers are an essential part of any language. In Malay, numbers are used daily in various contexts such as telling time, counting objects, and giving dates. This article will guide English speakers through the basics of Malay cardinal and ordinal numbers, helping you to understand and use them confidently.

Cardinal Numbers in Malay

Cardinal numbers are used for counting and answering the question "How many?". In Malay, the cardinal numbers from one to ten are:

• Satu (1)
• Dua (2)
• Tiga (3)
• Empat (4)
• Lima (5)
• Enam (6)
• Tujuh (7)
• Lapan (8)
• Sembilan (9)
• Sepuluh (10)

Beyond ten, Malay numbers are formed by combining these basic numbers. For example, eleven is "sebelas" and twenty is "dua puluh".

Examples of Cardinal Numbers in Sentences

- Saya ada tiga buku. (I have three books.)
- Dia membeli sepuluh epal. (He bought ten apples.)

Ordinal Numbers in Malay

Ordinal numbers indicate position or order, such as first, second, or third. In Malay, ordinal numbers are usually formed by adding the prefix "ke-" to the cardinal number.

• Pertama / Ke-1 (First)
• Kedua / Ke-2 (Second)
• Ketiga / Ke-3 (Third)
• Keempat / Ke-4 (Fourth)
• Kelima / Ke-5 (Fifth)

Note that for the first three ordinal numbers, there are special words: "pertama" (first), "kedua" (second), and "ketiga" (third). For others, the "ke-" prefix is commonly used.

Examples of Ordinal Numbers in Sentences

- Dia mendapat tempat pertama dalam pertandingan. (He got first place in the competition.)
- Ini adalah rumah keempat saya. (This is my fourth house.)

Tips for Learning Malay Numbers

• Practice counting objects around you using Malay numbers.
• Listen to native speakers to get familiar with pronunciation.
• Use ordinal numbers when talking about dates, rankings, or sequences.
• Remember the special words for first, second, and third.
• Combine cardinal numbers with "puluh" (tens) and "ratus" (hundreds) to form larger numbers.

Common Malay Number Words and Phrases

Summary

Understanding cardinal and ordinal numbers in Malay is straightforward once you learn the basic numbers and the prefix "ke-" for ordinals. Practice regularly, and soon you'll be comfortable using numbers in everyday Malay conversations.