Learning a new language can be an exciting and rewarding experience. One of the keys to mastering any language is understanding how to properly use prepositions, as they play a crucial role in connecting words and phrases. In Malay, prepositions of time are essential for constructing meaningful and grammatically correct sentences. This article will explore the various prepositions of time in Malay, providing examples and explanations to help you grasp their usage.
Introduction to Malay Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time are words used to indicate when something happens. In English, we use prepositions like “in,” “on,” and “at” to convey this information. Similarly, Malay has its own set of prepositions that serve the same purpose. Understanding these prepositions and how they function within a sentence will significantly improve your proficiency in Malay.
Malay prepositions of time include words such as “pada,” “dalam,” “sejak,” “hingga,” “sebelum,” and “selepas.” Each of these prepositions has its own specific use and context, which we will explore in detail.
Pada
The preposition “pada” is one of the most commonly used prepositions of time in Malay. It is equivalent to the English prepositions “on” and “at.” “Pada” is used to specify a particular point in time, such as a day, date, or specific hour.
Examples:
– Saya akan pergi ke pasar pada hari Ahad.
(I will go to the market on Sunday.)
– Mereka tiba pada pukul 8 pagi.
(They arrived at 8 o’clock in the morning.)
– Kita akan bertemu pada 15 Julai.
(We will meet on the 15th of July.)
In these examples, “pada” is used to indicate the specific day, time, or date when an action occurs.
Dalam
The preposition “dalam” is used to express a period within which an action takes place. It is similar to the English preposition “in” when used to refer to a duration of time.
Examples:
– Dia akan kembali dalam lima minit.
(He will return in five minutes.)
– Kami selesai dalam satu jam.
(We finished in one hour.)
– Buku ini akan siap dalam dua minggu.
(This book will be ready in two weeks.)
Here, “dalam” is used to denote the time frame within which something happens.
Sejak
The preposition “sejak” is used to indicate the starting point of an action that continues up to the present moment. It is equivalent to the English preposition “since.”
Examples:
– Dia telah tinggal di sini sejak tahun 2010.
(He has been living here since 2010.)
– Saya bekerja di syarikat ini sejak bulan Januari.
(I have been working at this company since January.)
– Kami berkawan sejak zaman sekolah.
(We have been friends since school days.)
In these examples, “sejak” is used to show the beginning of an action or state that is still ongoing.
Hingga
The preposition “hingga” is used to express the endpoint of a duration of time. It is similar to the English preposition “until.”
Examples:
– Kedai itu dibuka hingga pukul 10 malam.
(The store is open until 10 PM.)
– Saya akan berada di sini hingga Isnin.
(I will be here until Monday.)
– Dia bekerja hingga lewat malam.
(He works until late at night.)
“Hingga” is used to indicate the final point in time up to which an action or state continues.
Sebelum
The preposition “sebelum” is used to indicate a time prior to a specific event or moment. It is equivalent to the English preposition “before.”
Examples:
– Saya makan malam sebelum pergi ke gim.
(I had dinner before going to the gym.)
– Dia membaca buku sebelum tidur.
(He reads a book before sleeping.)
– Kami sampai sebelum matahari terbenam.
(We arrived before sunset.)
In these examples, “sebelum” is used to show that one action occurs earlier than another.
Selepas
The preposition “selepas” is used to indicate a time following a specific event or moment. It is equivalent to the English preposition “after.”
Examples:
– Kita akan pergi ke kedai selepas makan tengah hari.
(We will go to the store after lunch.)
– Dia tidur selepas menonton TV.
(He sleeps after watching TV.)
– Kami berbual panjang selepas mesyuarat.
(We had a long chat after the meeting.)
“Selepas” is used to denote that one action occurs later than another.
Combining Prepositions of Time
In Malay, it is also possible to combine prepositions of time to create more specific meanings. Here are a few examples of how these prepositions can be combined:
– Sejak hingga (from… until)
Example: Dia bekerja sejak pagi hingga malam.
(He works from morning until night.)
– Selepas dan sebelum (after and before)
Example: Saya mandi sebelum sarapan dan belajar selepas sarapan.
(I shower before breakfast and study after breakfast.)
– Pada dan dalam (at/on and in)
Example: Kami bertemu pada hari Jumaat dalam masa dua jam.
(We meet on Friday in two hours.)
These combinations allow for more precise and nuanced expressions of time, providing greater clarity and detail in your sentences.
Common Phrases and Expressions
To further enhance your understanding of Malay prepositions of time, here are some common phrases and expressions that incorporate these prepositions:
– Pada waktu pagi: in the morning
– Pada waktu petang: in the afternoon
– Pada waktu malam: at night
– Dalam masa terdekat: in the near future
– Sejak dulu: since long ago
– Hingga kini: until now
– Sebelum ini: before this
– Selepas ini: after this
These phrases are commonly used in everyday conversations and can help you sound more natural and fluent in Malay.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of Malay prepositions of time, it’s essential to practice using them in sentences. Here are a few exercises to help you get started:
1. Complete the sentences with the correct prepositions of time:
– Saya akan pergi ke pejabat _______ pukul 9 pagi.
– Dia telah tinggal di sana _______ tiga bulan.
– Kami akan pergi bercuti _______ minggu depan.
– Mereka tiba di stesen kereta api _______ pukul 2 petang.
– Saya belajar bahasa Melayu _______ tahun lalu.
2. Translate the following sentences into Malay:
– I have been working here since January.
– We will meet on the 15th of July.
– He sleeps after watching TV.
– The store is open until 10 PM.
– I had dinner before going to the gym.
3. Create your own sentences using the following prepositions of time:
– pada
– dalam
– sejak
– hingga
– sebelum
– selepas
By practicing these exercises, you will become more comfortable and confident in using Malay prepositions of time in your daily conversations.
Conclusion
Mastering prepositions of time in Malay is a crucial step in becoming proficient in the language. Understanding how to use “pada,” “dalam,” “sejak,” “hingga,” “sebelum,” and “selepas” will enable you to express time-related information accurately and effectively. By studying the examples and practicing the exercises provided in this article, you will develop a solid foundation in using Malay prepositions of time.
Remember, language learning is a gradual process that requires consistent practice and exposure. Keep incorporating these prepositions into your conversations, and over time, you will find yourself using them naturally and effortlessly. Selamat belajar! (Happy learning!)
