[Footnote 1: Klinkert, Eenige ophelderingen omtrent de Maleische Spreekwoorden en spreekwijzen.]

I. THE ARTICLE.

There is no article in Malay, that is, there is no word which corresponds exactly with our definite article the, or indefinite article a, an. Kuda, horse, and orang, man, signify equally "the horse" and "the man." When it is desired to specify particular objects, the pronouns ini, this, itu, that, and yang, this which, or that which, are used. Si sometimes supplies the place of the definite article when a person is spoken of; as si-laki-laki, the man; si-perampuan, the woman; si-mati, the deceased; si-bongkok, the cripple.

The numeral satu, one, is often used as the indefinite article; as ada sa' orang di negri Kedah, there was a man in the state of Kedah; ini satu kuda chantek, this is a beautiful horse.

II. SUBSTANTIVES.

A difficulty which attends the classification of Malay words into various parts of speech, according to the system applied to European languages, consists in the number of words which, while yet unmodified by particles, are either verb or substantive, substantive or adjective, adjective or adverb, according to the context. Baniak, as an adverb, means much, as an adjective, many; jalan is either a road or to walk; panjang either long, tall, or length, height. The same thing occurs in English in a minor degree; but with us the difference between cold and a cold, or between to brush and a brush, is rendered distinct by the use of the article a and the particle to. Many Malay words must thus be treated as now substantive, now adjective, now verb, according to the position they occupy in the sentence.

The noun undergoes no change to denote number, gender, or case.

NUMBER.

The plural, if not sufficiently made plain from the context, is often indicated by the use of such words as baniak, many, sumua, sa-kali-an, and sagala, all.

It is also expressed sometimes by repeating the noun; as raja, a king, raja-raja, kings; tuan, master, tuan-tuan, masters. All nouns are not capable of this duplication. As a general rule, it may be said to be mainly confined to nouns expressing persons or animate objects.

When there is nothing to show whether singular or plural is meant, the number remains indefinite, but may generally be assumed to be plural. In such phrases as menembak burong, to shoot birds, membĕli hayam, to buy fowls, the substantives are clearly plural, though nothing marks them as such. To restrict the number, and show that one bird or one fowl is meant, it would be necessary to use the word satu, one, with the idiomatic term ekor (lit. tail), which is always used in enumerating the lower animals; as menembak sa'ekor burong, to shoot a bird; membĕli sa'ekor hayam, to buy a fowl.

GENDER.

Inflexion is unknown in Malay, and gender has no place in the grammar of the language. Most nouns which signify animate things are of both genders, and the sexes are distinguished by the addition, in the case of persons, of the words laki-laki, male, and perampuan, female, and in other cases of the words jantan, male, and betina, female. Jantan and betina are also applied vulgarly to persons. If an apparent exception is found in such words as putra, a prince, and putri, a princess, derivation from a foreign language may be suspected. The inflexion in the word just cited is due to the rules of Sanskrit grammar.

DECLENSION.

There is nothing in the Malay language which corresponds with the cases of a Latin, Greek, or Sanskrit noun, which are formed by changes of termination, or of a Hindustani noun, which are formed by postpositions. In Malay the cases are expressed, as in English, by prepositions:—

To, ka, kepada, sama. For, akan. With, dengan, sama. From, deri, deri-pada. By, uleh.

The genitive or possessive case is expressed either by the use of the word punya after the noun, or by placing the noun which signifies the possessor immediately after the thing possessed; as sahaya, I; sahaya punya, of me, mine; rumah, house; rumah punya, of the house; sahaya punya rumah, or rumah sahaya, my house.

The employment of the genitive with punya is to be avoided. It is more idiomatic to say rumah sahaya than sahaya punya rumah.

Substantives are of five classes:—

1. Those which in their primitive form are substantives; as orang, person; rumah, house; kuda, horse; bapa, father.

2. Those which are formed from verbs by prefixing the inseparable particle pe; as pe-lari, a runaway; peng-asuh, a nurse; pem-buru, a hunter; pen-churi, a thief; penyapu, a broom.

3. Those which are formed by affixing the termination -an to verbs, adjectives, prepositions, and to other substantives; as makan-an, food; manis-an, sweetness; hampir-an, proximity; trus-an, a channel; buah-an, fruit in general; laut-an, the ocean.

4. Those which are formed by prefixing the particle pe and adding the termination -an; as pe-layar-an, a voyage; peng-ajar-an, instruction; pem-bunoh-an, slaying, execution; pen-dapat-an, acquisition; pel-ajar-an, lesson; per-uleh-an, possession; per-main-an, amusement.

5. Those which are formed by prefixing the particle ka- and adding the termination -an; as ka-jadi-an, creation, origin; ka-baniak-an, generality; ka-puji-an, praise; ka-salah-an, guilt, offence; ka-korang-an, want, deficiency.

III. ADJECTIVES.

Adjectives, like nouns, are indeclinable. They are always placed after their substantives; as kuda baik, a good horse; orang jahat, a bad man; not baik kuda, jahat orang.

IV. PRONOUNS.

The proper use of the personal pronouns and of the nouns which are used for them presents some difficulty.

The following words may be used to express the first person singular, I:—

1. Aku, I. 2. Sahaya (lit. companion, slave; Sansk. sahya). 3. Hamba (lit. slave), or hamba tuan (lit. master's slave). 4. Perhamba (lit. lowest slave). 5. Beta (lit. slave). 6. Patek (lit. slave). 7. Tĕman (lit. companion).

The appropriate use of these pronouns is dependent upon the relative positions of the persons between whom communication takes place.

Aku is generally used by natives among themselves. Its use implies familiarity and equality. It should not be used by Europeans addressing natives, or by natives addressing Europeans.

Sahaya is the ordinary polite form used by Europeans in conversation with natives of all classes, and by natives of the upper class in addressing Europeans.

Haba, haba tuan, and perhamba are used by persons of inferior rank when addressing superiors. Hamba, if used by a chief or native of high rank, implies a certain affectation of modesty.

The use of beta is confined to literary composition, and it is incorrect to employ the word colloquially. It may be used by Europeans and natives.

Patek is used only by natives, and by them only when addressing a person of royal blood.

Tĕman is used only in intercourse between natives of the upper class and of approximately equal rank.

The first person plural is kita or kami, we. Kita is used when the person addressed is intended to be included. Kami, on the contrary, like the royal "we" in English, excludes the person addressed.

Sometimes the word orang is added without changing the signification; as kita orang, we.

Other forms are also in use, but they are generally provincialisms confined to particular states or districts. Sahaya apa, kita apa, and hamba tuan apa are used in Kedah, and sahaya-ma in Perak, for kita orang.

Colloquially the personal pronouns are often omitted to avoid repetition. This is done especially in narration or description; as, for example, in the following sentence: Lepas itu jalan pula ka-kampong singgah di rumah Haji Ismail hari pun sudah pĕtang langsong pulang ka-rumah maka nasi— Afterwards (I started) again (and) walked to the kampong, (and) stopped at the house of Haji Ismail, (and then), as it was evening, (I) went straight home (and) had my dinner.

Here the personal pronoun I is understood throughout.

The second person singular is angkau, you. Each syllable of this word may be used separately for the whole. Ang or hang is much employed in Kedah and Perak, and kau in other parts of the peninsula and in Borneo. In Perak mika, in Malacca awah, in Borneo kita, and in Batavia kweh, are also used. The preceding words are used by a superior addressing an inferior, or by the common people in ordinary (not in polite) conversation.

In polite conversation the use of angkau, or of most of the words given above, must be avoided, as it is considered by Malays to be vulgar or harsh. In addressing servants or followers, the name of the individual addressed is often inserted in the sentence instead of the pronoun you; as, in addressing Ismail: When you were at the bazaar just now who was with you?— Apabila Ismail di pekan tadi siapa sama? In the same way tuan, sir, master, is employed in addressing a haji or sayyid; tuan-ku or tunku, my lord, in addressing a raja; datoh, grandfather, in addressing a chief or penghulu.

Other words similarly employed are—

Abang (elder brother) or wah (uncle), to a man older than the speaker. Kakak (elder sister), to a woman older than the speaker. Adek (younger brother). Inche (sir or madam), to respectable persons of either sex.

EXAMPLES.

When did you arrive? (to a haji)— Bila-mana tuan sudah tiba? I must ask one thing of you (to a raja)— Sahaya handak minta satu kapada tunku. If you give the order (to a chief)— Jikalau datoh suroh. Do not be angry (to an elderly man)— Jangan abang marah. Please help yourselves to water (to guests of various ranks)— Datoh-datoh, tuan-tuan, inche-inche sakalian, sila berayer.

The use of the word lu, a form of the second person singular, derived from the Chinese, and generally used by Europeans, is offensive to Malays of all classes, and is altogether to be avoided.

In the plural kamu, ye, corresponds to angkau, you, in the singular; that is to say, it is used by a superior addressing inferiors. It is found in its contracted form mu in literary composition, but seldom colloquially; as ka-tahu-i uleh-mu, be it known unto ye.

Kamu is sometimes used in the singular also.

THIRD PERSON SINGULAR.

Dia or iya, he, she, it.

Dia and iya are used indifferently, but perhaps dia is more common in conversation and iya in literature.

The plural is dia orang (and sometimes, though less commonly, iya orang), they.

Another form of the third person plural is marika-itu, they, these, or those persons; but it is found in literary compositions only, and is not used in conversation.

A pronoun of the third person only used in conjunction with other words is -nia, a contraction of inia, he, she, it.

The indefinite form "one" (the French "on" and German "man") is expressed in Malay by orang; as orang tiada bĕrani pergi sana, one dare not go there; kalau orang handak kawin, if one is about to marry.

POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS.

The possessive pronouns, my, thy, his, our, your, their, are usually denoted by placing the personal pronoun after the word expressing the object possessed; as rumah sahaya, my house; pada pikir-an hamba, in my opinion; apa pen-chari-an angkau? what is your occupation? apa nama dia? what is his name?

Possessive pronouns are also formed by the word punya or ampunya (lit. owning, owned) placed after the personal pronoun; as aku punya, my or mine; tuan punya suka, as you please (your pleasure); yang ampunya tanah, (he) whose land it is.

Singular. Plural. My, mine, sahaya punya. Ours, kita punya. Thy, thine, angkau punya. Yours, kamu punya. His, hers, its, dia punya. Theirs, dia-orang punya.

Frequently where the word "your" would be used in English Malays leave out the pronoun altogether. "Bring your gun with you," would be correctly rendered in Malay, bawa snapang sama (lit. bring gun together), not bawa angkau punya snapang sama angkau.

In literary composition ku and mu (abbreviated forms of aku and kamu) are affixed to the noun denoting the thing possessed; as rumah-ku, my house; bapa-mu, your father.

The affix -nia is used in the sense of his, hers, or its, as well as the other forms of the possessive pronoun; as patah kaki-nia, his leg was broken; bauh-nia terlalu wangi, its smell is very sweet.

DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS.

Ini, this, these. Itu, that, those.

The demonstrative pronouns, like adjectives, follow the word to which they belong; as rumah ini, this house; hari ini, this day, to-day; aku ini, I myself; sakarang ini, this moment; orang itu, that man or those men; waktu itu, that time; iya itu, that is to say. It is not unusual to hear ini and itu placed before the noun, but this is not idiomatic.

The INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS are

Siapa, who? Apa, what? Mana, who? what?

EXAMPLES.

Apa mahu?— What do you want? Rumah ini siapa?— Whose house is this? Siapa panggil?— Who called? Gajah mana ini?— What elephant is this? Siapa akan tahu?— Who knows?

The RELATIVE PRONOUN is

Yang, who, which.

EXAMPLES.

Burong yang liyar, a bird that is wild. Raja yang adil, a king who is just. Ada yang tuah, ada yang muda, some are old and some are young (lit. there are who are old, &c.).

The Menangkabau word is nen. This is often found in composition, but is seldom used in the dialect spoken in the Straits of Malacca. Example: Patek nen fakir— I who am but a beggar.

REFLECTIVE PRONOUNS.

Diri, sendiri, or kendiri, self, are used with or without the personal pronouns to signify myself, yourself, himself, ourselves, &c.

EXAMPLES.

Bunoh diri, to kill oneself. Meng-ajar diri, to take oneself to task. Hamba sendiri handak pergi, I shall go myself. Baik tuan sendiri suroh, you had better order it yourself. Kemdian turun-lah raja sendiri, afterwards the king himself descended. Dia lari masok hutan membawa diri-nia, she escaped to the jungle with her life (lit. taking herself with her). Biar-lah hamba sa-orang diri me-lawan dia, let me fight him myself alone.

V. VERBS.

Verbs are either primitive or derivative; the former are those which in their original signification are verbs; the latter are formed from primitive verbs, or from substantives, adjectives, or adverbs, by the application of particles.

Examples of primitive verbs are pukul, to strike; makan, to eat; lari, to run; of derivative verbs, ber-kaki, to have feet, from kaki, a foot; panjang-kan, to lengthen or make long, from panjang, long.

The primitive verb, which is generally a dissyllable, is either transitive, as tangkap, to seize, or intransitive, as tidor, to sleep; but a transitive sense may be given to an intransitive verb by the addition of the particle -kan, as lari, me-lari, to run; me-lari-kan, to carry off.

Though the examples of primitive verbs given above are translated for the sake of convenience by our infinitive, their signification is not necessarily rendered by that mood. Favre translates them by the past participle (as ambil, taken, buang, thrown[2]), but this is rather fanciful than accurate. The fact is, that the meaning of the radical or primitive is indefinite, and depends for its precise signification on its position (with respect to other words) in the sentence, or on the particles which may be added before or after it. Thus lari means simply run, though syntax will show that it may mean to run, I run, he runs, run thou, &c., according to its position in the sentence.

[Footnote 2: Grammaire de la Langue Malaise, 56.]

Marsden distinguishes the following moods—the imperative, the indicative or assertive, the conditional, and the infinitive or indefinite—"which admit, for the most part, of being expressed in the present, the past, and the future tenses or times."

It is not proposed, in an elementary work like the present, to go deeply into a scientific arrangement, which, however well suited to the Latin and Greek languages, is adapted with less propriety to uncultivated languages like Malay. It is believed that an explanation of the use of auxiliaries and particles, and a paradigm showing the most common changes of which the verb is susceptible, will be sufficient, and that the student may be left to gain further knowledge as to the mode of expressing variations of mood and tense as he advances in the study of the language.[3]

[Footnote 3: "It is difficult to eradicate the belief that the forms in which we think are identical with the thought itself; and it is only linguistic science that enables us to see that many of the forms of grammar which we imagine necessary and universal are, after all, but accidental and restricted in use. The cases of Latin and Greek do not exist in the majority of languages; the Polynesian dialects have no true verbs; and the Esquimaux gets on well enough without 'the parts of speech' that figure so largely in our own grammars." —Sayce, Introduction to the Science of Language, ii. 328.]

USE OF PARTICLES.

The inseparable affix -kan always denotes a verb used in a transitive sense; as men-jalan-kan, to cause to walk. It is an abbreviation of the preposition akan. Thus buat-kan (to do) means to do something to (akan) something or somebody.

The inseparable affix -i also denotes the transitive sense; as kras-i, to oppress (from kras, hard); halus-i, to treat carefully (from halus, fine, close).

The inseparable prefix ber- (bel-, be-) is the mark of a verb which expresses a state or condition of being; as ber-jalan, to walk, or to be in the act of walking; ber-wang, to have money; ber-misei, to wear moustaches; ber-pukul, to strike, i.e., to be in the act or condition of striking (not to strike another, transitive, which would be expressed by pukul- or me-mukul-kan).

The inseparable prefix me- (in all its various forms, mem, meng, men, and meny) is the mark of a verb which expresses an action; as men-jalan-kan, to cause to walk, mem-buat, to make; menyakit-kan, to afflict (from sakit); meng-ambil, to take.

According as the primitive verb has a transitive or intransitive sense, the derivative verbs formed from it will take ber- or me- as the case may be. Thus from adu, to sleep, is formed ber-adu, not meng-adu; while from adu, to complain, is formed meng-adu, not ber-adu.

Often both particles may be used, and both transitive and intransitive derivative verbs may be formed from the same primitive. Thus from taroh, to put, are formed menaroh, to put (the act of a person who puts), and ber-taroh, to bet (the condition of a person who stakes). From tidor, to sleep, are formed menidor-kan, to put to sleep, and ber-tidor, to be sleeping or lying down; and from ajar, instruct, meng-ajar, to teach (impart instruction), and bel-ajar, to learn (get instruction).

Mem-bawa, to bring, mem-bunoh, to kill, and me-makan, to eat, are formed from bawa, bunoh, and makan respectively, which, as they express actions, not states, do not take the prefix ber-. Ber-gantong is to hang (intransitive), that is, to be in a state or condition of hanging; meng-gantong-kan is to hang (transitive), that is, to perform the action of hanging something.

The particle per- (Sansk. pra), a prefix used with transitive verbs, does not seem always to effect a change in the sense. It is used more generally in literature than in the colloquial dialects, and seems to be introduced frequently for the sake of euphony only. The difference, for instance, between meng-himpun-kan, to assemble, to collect persons together, and mem-per-himpun-kan, to cause persons to collect together, is not very marked. No general rule applicable to all transitive verbs can be laid down for the use of this form with mem-per-; practice and experience must form the only guide.

AUXILIARIES.

The auxiliary verbs and adverbs are—

Ada, is, was, are, were. Sudah, was, did, has been. Tĕlah, was, did, has been. Mahu, will, shall, would, must. Handak, will, shall, would, must, is, was, or were about to. Jadi, is, was, become, became.

PARADIGMS.

Tidor, sleep.

Sahaya tidor, I sleep, or I was sleeping. Tidor-lah dia, he was sleeping or slept. Ber-tidor, asleep, sleeping. Sahaya sudah tidor, I have slept. Dia telah tidor, he had slept. Sahaya maku tidor, I will sleep, or I want to sleep. Sahaya handak tidor, I shall sleep, or I am about to sleep. Dia akan tidor, he will sleep or is going to sleep. Tidor-lah, sleep thou. Mahu-lak angkau tidor, you must sleep. Biar iya tidor, let him sleep. Handak-lah di-tidor-nia, it must be slept by him, i.e., he intends to sleep. Menidor-kan or menidor-i, to lay down (transitive). Mem-per-tidor-kan or mem-per-tidor-i, to cause to sleep. Penidor, a soporific; that which causes to sleep. Penidor-an, act of causing to sleep. Per-tidor-an, that which belongs to sleep; a bed. Ka-tidor-an, the act of sleeping; there was sleeping on the part of ——. Sa-ka-tidor-an, the act of sleeping with another; there was sleeping with ——. Si-tidor, the sleeper. Ter-tidor, gone to sleep.

Lari, run.

Sahaya lari, I run, or I was running. Lari-lah dia, he ran, or was running. Ber-lari, run, running. Ber-lari-lari, running about incessantly. Sahaya sudah lari, I have or had run. Dia telah lari, he had run. Sahaya mahu lari, I will run, or I want to run. Sahaya handak lari, I will run, or I am about to run. Dia akan lari, he will run. Lari-lah, run thou. Mahu lah angkau lari, you must run. Biar iya lari, let him run. Handak-lah di lari-nia, it must be run by him, i.e., he intends to run. Me-lari-kan, to carry off (transitive). Lari-an, a running, a course. Ber-lari-an, the act of running; there was running on the part of ——. Ber-lari-lari-an, incessant running; running to and fro; there was incessant running on the part of ——. Ka-lari-an, flight; act of running. Pe-lari, a runaway, a fugitive. Pe-lari-an, flight. Di-lari-kan (passive), is, are, was, were, have, has, or had been run away with. Di-lari-kan-nia, is, are, was, were, have, has, or had been run away with by him, her, or them. Ter-lari, run, run away (past). Bawa lari, to carry off, run off with. (Here lari is the past participle after bawa, to take, bring, and may be used with that verb in all its forms.)

Ada, be.

Sahaya ada, I am or was. Ber-ada, have (possess.), has or had. Meng-ada, to cause to be, to make, invent. Sudah ada, have got, have been. Telah ada, was, have been. Mahu ada, must be. Meng-ada-ngada, to make or invent repeatedly. Meng-ada kan, to create, to cause to exist. Ber-ada-kan, possess, own. Mem-per-ada-kan, to produce, to cause to exist. Ter-ada-kan, produced, created. Ada-an, being, existence. Ka-ada-an, state, existence.

Bawa, bring.

Sahaya bawa, I bring or was bringing. Mem-bawa, bring, to bring. Sudah bawa, has brought. Telah bawa, had brought. Mahu bawa, will or must bring. Aku handak bawa, I will bring, or am about to bring. Bawa-lah, bring thou. Biar iya bawa, let him bring. Mem-bawa-kan or mem-bawa-i, to cause to be brought or taken. Pem-bawa, a bringer. Bawa-an, that which is brought; a burden. Pem-bawa-an, act of bringing, transport. Di-bawa and di-bawa-kan, brought, passive. Di-bawa-nia and di-bawa-kan-nia, is, are, was, were, have, has, or had been brought by him, her, or them. Ter-bawa, brought.

Ambil, take.

Sahaya ambil, I take. Meng ambil, take, to take. Sudah ambil, has or had taken. Telah ambil, had taken. Mahu ambil, will or must take. Handak ambil, shall take or about to take. Ambil-lah, take thou. Mahu-lah angkau ambil, you must take. Biar iya ambil, let him take. Handak-lah di ambil-nia, he must take or intends to take. Meng-ambil-kan, to take or cause to take. Ambil-an, a thing taken. Peng-ambil-an, the act of taking. Di-ambil or di-ambil-kan, is or was, &c., taken (passive). Di-ambil-nia or di-ambil-kan-nia, is or was. &c., taken by him, her, or them. Ter-ambil, taken, having been taken.

Suroh, order.

Sehaya suroh, I order. Menyuroh, order, to order. Sudah suroh, has ordered. Telah suroh, had ordered. Mahu suroh, will or must order. Handak suroh, shall order or about to order. Suroh-lah, order thou. Mahu-lah angkau suroh, you must order. Biar iya suroh, let him order. Handak-lah di suroh-nia, he must order or intends to order. Menyuroh-kan, to issue orders, to commission. Pe-suroh and penyuroh, one who is commissioned; a messenger. Penyuroh-an, an order, command; the act of commanding. Suroh-suroh-an, people who are at the orders or command of another. Suroh-menyuroh, to issue orders incessantly. Di-suroh or di-suroh-kan, is or was, &c., ordered. Di-suroh-nia or di-suroh-kan-nia, is, or was, &c., ordered by him, her, or them. Ter-suroh, ordered, having been ordered.

The facts to be derived from a careful study of the foregoing examples may be summarised as follows:—

1st. The tense of the verb standing alone is indefinite. It may be present, imperfect, present or past, &c., according to the context; as dia ada, he is; tatkala sahaya ada di sana, when I was there; kalau sahaya ada dĕkat, if I am, should be, were, or had been near. This applies equally to the forms created by prefixing ber- and me-, mem-, men-, meng-, meny- to the radical. Examples: kita ber-jalan, we are or were walking; nanti sampei sahaya ber-balik, wait till I shall have returned; mati-mati ber-minyak, if you should use oil; raja meng-angkat kalmarin dahulu, the raja set out the day before yesterday.

2d. The Imperfect may sometimes be expressed by making the verb, followed by the particle -lah, precede the pronoun; as diam-lah dia orang, they were silent; maka pergi-lah raja kapada tuan putri, and the king went to the princess.

3d. Past.— Though the past may be expressed by the primitive verb, as shown above, if the context shows that the act spoken of is past, it is, nevertheless, more emphatically marked by the use of the auxiliaries sudah and tĕlah, has or had; as dia sudah tidor, he has gone to sleep; telah lari-lah pe-rompah sumua, the pirates have (or had) all run away.

4th. Future.— The verb standing alone may express the future when there is something in the sentence which indicates that a future tense is meant, such as the word "to-morrow" or "hereafter;" as esok hari kita ber-pĕrang pula, to-morrow we shall be fighting again.

The future is also expressed by the auxiliaries mahu and handak; as dia mahu jual, he will sell it; tiada mahu dia datang, he would not come; kapal handak masok sungei, a ship is about to enter the river; di-panggil-nia orang-besar-besar mushawarat handak di-buat meligei, he summoned the chiefs to consult about building a palace.

Another mode of forming the future is by the word nanti (lit. wait), placed, like the French verb aller, before the verb; as sahaya nanti chahari, je vais chercher, I am going to seek, or j'irai chercher, I shall go to seek.

The preposition akan, in order to, in order that, is sometimes used to convey the sense of the future; as penyakit itu tiada akan semboh, that disease is not to be cured; siapa akan tahu? who shall know? (=who can tell?); jikalau raja yang anyaya naraka akan tampat-nia, if a king is unjust hell will be his place hereafter.

5th. Imperative.— To convey an order or command the radical is used either by itself or with the affix -lah; kamu, thou, being either expressed or understood. The particle adds additional emphasis to the command. Examples: pergi, go; pergi-lah, be off, get away; ka-luar or ka-luar-lah, go out; ka-luar-kan-lah, take (it) out, or turn (him) out.

Mahu and handak with the affix -lah signify must; as mahu-lah kamu turut, ye must obey; handak-lah ayam yang puteh, there must be a fowl that is white, or, the fowl must be a white one; handak-lah segala pegawei raja itu duduk dengan adab dan diam, the king's officers must sit with reverence and in silence.

The third person of the imperative mood, which we express by "let him," may be rendered in Malay by the use of the word biar or biar-lah, with the verb in the manner shown by the following examples:— Biar-lah dia masok, let him come in; biar-lah aku mati, let me die.

6th. From many verbs are formed verbal nouns by prefixing the particle pe- (peng, pem, pen, peny) to the radical. This prefix operates like the syllable -er in such words as robber, purchaser, teacher; as churi, to steal; pen-churi, a robber; bĕli, to buy; pem-bĕli, a purchaser; ajar, to teach; peng-ajar, a teacher. Substantives of this kind and others formed from the verb with the particles ka- and -an have already been noticed under the head of the Substantive. But the form arrived at by prefixing to the simple verb the particle ka- and annexing the particle -an is not merely a noun, but, as Marsden says, "a gerund in form as well as in sense, being in fact a verbal noun infinitively applied in construction;" as, ka-dengar-an sampei Sayong, it was to be heard as far as Sayong; tiada ka-tahu-an, not to be understood; mata-hari tiada ka-lihat-an sebab ka-lindong-an-lah sayap-nia, the sun was not to be seen by reason of the shadowing of its wings.

7th. Passive.— In Malay the passive voice is denoted by the particle di- prefixed to the verb. The place of the nouns which express the agent and subject respectively will be understood from the following examples:—

Hamba di-pukul orang, I was beaten by men. Orang di-pukul hamba, the men were beaten by me. Rumah di-makan api, the house was consumed by fire. Api di-padam-kan orang, the fire was extinguished by men.

Here the personal pronoun or other agent follows the verb and the subject precedes it.

Sometimes the preposition "by" finds an equivalent in Malay, the word uleh being expressed instead of being understood (as in the preceding sentences). Examples:—

Maka uleh baginda pun di-sambut dengan seperti 'adat, they were received by the king with the customary ceremony. Di-titah-kan-lah uleh baginda, it was commanded by the king.

The passive participle is formed by prefixing to the verb the inseparable particle ter-; as ter-pukul, struck; ter-tulis, written. When ter- precedes per-, one of the particles drops its final letter; as te-per-sayang, compassionated; ter-pe-lanting, sent flying.

Other forms of the Verb.— In the preceding paradigms generally those changes have been inserted which result from the application of inseparable particles. But there are moods and tenses of the English verb which are translatable in Malay, though they are not included above because they involve the use of other words, which, though united to the verb in construction, do not form part of it.

Conditional or Potential.— In expressing a conditional or potential sense the verb undergoes no change, though following such conjunctions as "if," "provided that," "in order that;" as jika tuan datang, if you come; kalau raja me-larang, if the king should forbid; dapat kami ber-untong, provided we are successful; sapaya jangan hamba kĕna rugi, in order that I may not incur a loss; agar sapaya anak-nia menjadi 'alim, in order that his children may become learned.

Optative.— An optative sense is generally indicated by such words as apa-lah, apa-lah kira-nia, prithee, expressions of entreaty, or garangan, forsooth, conveying the notion of a doubt or query; as barang di-sampei-kan Allah apa-lah kira-nia, may God in his goodness cause it to arrive. But sometimes these are understood; as di-bri Allah kamarau sadikit, may God grant a little fair weather.

Participle Present.— Continuity or existing duration of action is often expressed by the use of such words as lagi, still more, sambil, seraya, and serla, whilst at the same time the verb remains unaltered in form; as lagi datang, coming; lagi tidor, sleeping or still asleep; ber-jalan sambil ber-sinnyum, walked on smiling; meniambah serta meniapu ayer mata-nia, made obeisance, at the same time wiping away her tears.

Tengah, half, middle, is often used with the verb in a similar way; as dia tengah makan nasi, he was in the act of eating his dinner.

VI. ADVERBS.

Adverbs in Malay are not distinguished by any prevailing termination corresponding to the English -ly or the French -ment. Many adjectives and some prepositions are used adverbially.

The following are some of the most useful adverbs:—

ADVERBS OF TIME.

sakarang, now. tadi, just now. dahulu, before, formerly. sa'buntar, presently. bĕlum, not yet. pagi-pagi, early. esok, besok, to-morrow. kalmarin,[4] yesterday. tatkala, sa-katika, when (relative). kemdian, afterwards. pernah, ever. ta'pernah, never. sĕdang, while. kadang, sometimes. apa-bila, apa-kala, bila-mana, bila, when? (interrogative). kalmarin dahulu, the day before yesterday. lusa, the day after to-morrow. tulat, the third day from this.

[Footnote 4: In Perak kalmarin means "formerly." Pĕtang is "yesterday."]

ADVERBS OF PLACE.

sini, ka-mari, here. situ, sana, nun, there. mana, where, wherever (rel.). di-mana, where? (inter.). hampir, near, nearly. luar, outside. dalam, inside. sabĕrang, across. jauh, far. atas, above. bawah, below. sabĕlah, beside. balik, behind. dĕkat, near.

MISCELLANEOUS.

bagini, like this. bagitu, like that. bageimana, how? ya, yes. bukan, no, not. sahaja, only. makin, so much the more. naschaya, certainly. tidak, no. tentu, certainly.

Adverbs expressing intensity will be found enumerated in Lesson 4.

Among the examples above given several are also prepositions, and will be found under that heading.

VII. PREPOSITIONS.

The principal prepositions of place and motion are di, at, in, on; ka, to, towards; deri, from. A great many so-called prepositions are formed from these three compounded with certain other words, such as:—

di-atas, on the top of. ka-atas, to the top of. deri-atas, from the top of. di-dalam, in the interior of. ka-dalam, to the interior of. deri-dalam, from the interior of. di-bĕlakang, at the back of. ka-bĕlakang, to the back of. deri-bĕlakang, from the back of. di-sabĕrang, on the farther side of. ka-sabĕrang, to the farther side of. deri-sabĕrang, from the farther side of. di-bawah, at the bottom of. ka-bawah, to the bottom of. deri-bawah, from the bottom of. di-hadap-an, in front of. ka-hadap-an, to the front of. deri-hadap-an, from the front of. di-luar, at the outside of. ka-luar, to the outside of. deri-luar, from the outside of.

These twenty-one words are used like prepositions, and are often classified as such, but the true prepositions are the three initial words.

Atas, bawah, dalam, hadap-an, bĕlakang, luar, and sabĕrang here are really substantives governed by the prepositions di, ka, and deri. Some of these words aptly illustrate the difficulty of classifying Malay words according to the parts of speech usually recognised by grammarians. Dalam, for instance, has already been classified in the preceding section as an adverb. It is also substantive, adjective, and preposition.

Dalam (subs.), interior, depth; as penghulu dalam, the guardian of the interior (inner apartments); dalam-nia tiga depa, its depth is three fathoms. Dalam (adj.), deep; as ter-lalu dalam sungei ini, this river is very deep. Dalam (adv.), inside; as ada orang dalam, there are people inside. Dalam (prep.), in; as kain yang dalam gĕdong itu, cloth in that warehouse.

In Malay a substantive in the possessive case immediately follows the substantive denoting the possessor (supra, p. 47). In the sentences bĕlakang gunong, the back of the mountain; hadap-an raja, the presence of the king; sabĕrang sungei, the farther side of the river, all the words are substantives, gunong, raja, and sungei being in the possessive case.

Now let the prepositions di, ka, and deri be added to these sentences.

Di-bĕlakang gunong, at the back of the mountain, may be more shortly translated behind the mountain; so ka-hadap-an raja may be rendered before the king, and deri-sabĕrang sungei from beyond the river.

Here, though the purport of the Malay phrases di-bĕlakang, ka-hadap-an, and deri-sabĕrang are correctly rendered by English prepositions, only the first portion of each phrase is a Malay preposition.

Of the remaining prepositions the following are the chief:—

pada, kapada, at, to, on, towards. deri-pada, from, than. akan, to, for, as to, as for. uleh, by. atas, on, upon. datang, } sampei, } until, as far as. hingga, } antara, between. samantara, until. ganti, instead of. balik, behind. serta, with. sama, with, to. dengan, with. dalam, in, into. lĕpas, after. karana, } krana, } on account of. sebab, } sa-kadar, according to. demei, by. dĕkat, near. tentang, concerning, opposite. bagi, to. trus, through.

VIII. CONJUNCTIONS.

The following list includes the most useful of the conjunctions in Malay:—

dan, and. kalau, } jika, } if. jikalau, } antah, } perhaps. kunun, } sapaya, in order that. pula, also, again. sambil, } whilst. selang, } seraya, at the same time. tambah-an, furthermore. karana, } because. sĕbab, } serta, and, also. asal-kan, provided that. atau, or. tĕtapi, but. me-lain-kan, except. hania, but, except. yang, that. kĕlak, forsooth. juga, jua, also. sahaja, only. lagi, again, even. lagi pula, again, too. lagi pun, besides, also. saperti, as, like. laksana, } like. bagei, } iya-itu, that is to say. lamun-kan, although.

There are also a number of conjunctions which are met with almost exclusively in the written language, and which it would be pedantic to use in conversation. Of such are:—

maka, bahwa, ḥata, shahadan, seldom necessary to the sense, and not always requiring translation. They answer in some degree to such words as "now," "next," "but," "then," "again," "so." sa-ber-mula, first, now. sa-bagei-lagi, further, again. arkian, now, then. agar, in order that. y'ani, that is to say. wab'adahu,[5] and then, afterwards. walakin (Arab. wa, and lakin, but), but, though, nevertheless.

[Footnote 5: Arabic wa, and, b'adahu, afterwards—often used by a pleonasm with kemdian, afterwards; wab'adahu kemdian deri-pada itu, and after that.]

IX. INTERJECTIONS.

The interjections in most common use are:—

hei! O! ya! O! (Arabic). aho! O! (Sansk.). aduh! aduhi! oh! alas! (pain, lamentation). niah! niah-lah! be off! begone! ai! wah! oh! alas! (astonishment or affliction). ayo! ayohi! ah! (affection). cheh! fie! wayi! alas! demei Allah! by God! nah! there! take it! jum![6] forwards!

[Footnote 6: This is a Kedah word. Mah! is used in the same sense in Perak.]

Many other words are used like interjections; such as kasi-han (lit. affection), what a pity! sayang (lit. concern), 'tis pity! alas! karam (lit. wrecked), woe to thee! me-rachun (may I be poisoned), no! (emphatic denial), &c., &c.

A number of Arabic expressions common to all Muhammadans in all parts of the world are used by Malays, such as In sha-llh, if it be the will of God; Allhu a'alam, God is all-knowing; Astaghfir allh, I beg forgiveness of God; Wa-llahi and Wa-llah, by God! Y rabb, O Lord! Bi-smi-llah, in the name of God! El-ḥamdu li-llah, praise be to God! Allhu akbar, God is most great.

X. NUMERALS.

The numerals in Malay are exceedingly simple. The first ten are:—

1. sa, satu, suatu, one. 2. dua, two. 3. tiga, three. 4. ampat, four. 5. lima, five. 6. anam, six. 7. tujoh, seven. 8. dĕlapan, eight. 9. sambilan, nine. 10. sapuloh, ten.

From eleven to nineteen inclusive the numerals are formed from the digits with the termination bĕlas:—

11. sa-bĕlas, eleven. 12. dua-bĕlas, twelve. 13. tiga-bĕlas, thirteen. 14. ampat-bĕlas, fourteen. 15. lima-bĕlas, fifteen. 16. anam-bĕlas, sixteen. 17. tujoh-bĕlas, seventeen. 18. dĕlapan-bĕlas, eighteen. 19. sambilan-bĕlas, nineteen. 20. dua-puloh, twenty.

Multiples of ten up to ninety inclusive have the termination puloh, ten:—

20. dua-puloh, twenty. 30. tiga-puloh, thirty. 40. ampat-puloh, forty. 50. lima-puloh, fifty. 60. anam-puloh, sixty. 70. tujoh-puloh, seventy. 80. dĕlapan-puloh, eighty. 90. sambilan-puloh, ninety.

The intermediate numbers are formed simply by adding the units; as—

21. dua-puloh-satu, twenty-one. 32. tiga-puloh-dua, thirty-two. 43. ampat-puloh-tiga, forty-three. 54. lima-puloh-ampat, fifty-four. 65. anam-puloh-lima, sixty-five. 76. tujoh-puloh-anam, seventy-six. 87. dĕlapan-puloh-tujoh, eighty-seven. 98. sambilan-puloh-dĕlapan, ninety-eight.

Above a hundred the numbers proceed with equal regularity:—

100. sa-ratus, one hundred. 200. dua-ratus, two hundred. 300. tiga-ratus, three hundred. 400. ampat-ratus, four hundred. 1000. sa-ribu, one thousand. 2000. dua-ribu, two thousand. 3000. tiga-ribu, three thousand. 4000. ampat-ribu, four thousand.

Any sum, however great, may be expressed by the numerals in juxtaposition without the insertion of a conjunction; as, sa-ribu-dĕlapan-ratus-tujoh-puloh-sambilan, one thousand eight hundred (and) seventy nine, 1879.

Certain terms for high numbers have been borrowed from the Sanskrit language and misapplied in adoption, namely, laḳsa (Sansk. laksha, 100,000), keti (Sansk. koṭi, 10,000,000), and juta (Sansk. ayuta, 10,000).

The numbers represented by these words in Malay are sa-laḳsa, ten thousand; sa-keti, one hundred thousand; sa-juta, one million.

In reckoning the numbers from 20 to 30, lekor, a score, is sometimes used instead of dua-puloh (especially in mentioning dates), but in that case the unit precedes instead of following the decimal; as sa-lekor, twenty-one; dua-lekor, twenty-two; tiga-lekor, twenty-three, &c.

To express a quantity which approaches what we call a round number, it is sometimes convenient to state the latter qualified by the figure in which it is deficient, as is done in the old-fashioned phrase "forty stripes save one." Thus, instead of sambilan-puloh-dĕlapan, ninety-eight, the phrase korang dua sa-ratus, one hundred save two, may be used.

The use of the word tengah, half, before a numeral serves in the same way to reduce it by half of one. Thus, tengah dua signifies "one and a half," or "two, less half a one," as if the full phrase were korang sa-tengah dua; so tengah tiga-puloh, twenty-five (lit. "three tens save half"); tengah lima ratus, four hundred and fifty (lit. "five hundreds save half").

ORDINAL NUMBERS.

pertama (Sansk. prathama), first. ka-dua, second. ka-tiga, third. ka-sa-bĕlas, eleventh. ka-dua-puloh, twentieth. ka-sa-ratus, hundredth.

The word yang placed before ordinals corresponds to the definite article in English; as yang pertama, the first; yang ka-dua, the second; yang ka-sa-ribu, the thousandth.

FRACTIONAL NUMBERS.

Tengah, sa-tengah, half; suku, sa-suku, quarter; sa-per-dua, one-half; sa-per-tiga, one-third; dua-per-tiga, two-thirds; tiga-per-ampat, three-fourths. Similar fractions may be formed with other numbers by placing the particle per between the dividend and the divisor.

COLLECTIVE NUMBERS.

Phrases like "a score," "a dozen," "a couple," are formed in Malay by the use of the particle ber with the numeral; as—

ber-dua, the two, or the pair. ber-tiga, the three. ber-puloh-puloh, by tens. be-ratus-ratus, by hundreds. be-ribu-ribu, by thousands.

The word ganda, which in Hindustani is a collective numeral meaning "a four," is used in Malay in conjunction with numerals in a sense corresponding to the English word "times;" as dua-ganda, double, twice; tiga-ganda, triple, three times.

NUMERAL CO-EFFICIENTS.

In Malay, as in Burmese, Siamese, and Chinese, "there exists a set of specific and technical terms, called by the grammarians numeral affixes, some one or other of which is always used as a co-efficient to the numeral, the term being selected according to the class under which the object falls."[7] The use of these terms will be best understood by comparing it with the analogous use in English of such phrases as so many head of cattle; so many file of soldiers; so many sail of ships; so many stand of rifles.

[Footnote 7: Col. Yule, Journ. Anthropol. Inst. Feb. 1880. This peculiarity in the Indo-Chinese languages has attracted much attention among ethnologists. See Peschel, Races of Man, 117; Tylor, Early History of Mankind, 208; Bunsen's Universal History, i. 409.]

1. Orang (person or persons) is introduced in the enumeration of mankind; as China tiga orang, Malayu sa'orang, three Chinese and a Malay; budak dua orang, two children.

2. Ekor (tail) is employed in speaking of animals; as sa-ekor kuching, a cat; kuda bĕlang dua ekor, two piebald horses; ikan kechil-kechil barang lima anam ekor, about five or six small fish.

3. Buah (fruit) is applied to fruit, houses, ships, places, &c.; as sa-buah rumah, a house; sa-buah nĕgri, a town or kingdom; lima buah kapal, five ships.

4. Biji (seed) is applied to small objects more or less round; as buah manggis lima-puloh biji, fifty mangostins; ampat biji telor, four eggs; nior muda sa-biji, one green cocoa-nut.

5. Halei or lei, to tenuous objects, such as hair, feathers, leaves, wearing apparel, &c.; as bulu sa-lei, a feather; kain Palembang sa-puloh halei, ten Palembang sarongs.

6. Batang (stem), to long objects; as lembing dua batang, two spears; tiang ampat batang, four posts.

7. Puchuk (young shoot), to letters, muskets, cannon, elephants' tusks, &c.; as tiga puchuk surat, three letters; sa-puchuk gading, one tusk: snapang lima puchuk, five muskets.

8. Keping (piece, slice), to pieces of wood, metal, &c.; as papan sa-keping, a plank; timah tiga-puloh keping, thirty slabs of tin.

9. Tangga (ladder) and pintu (door), to houses; as rumah dua tangga, two houses; rumah batu anam pintu, six brick houses.

10. Lapis (fold), to clothing; as kapan sa-lapis, a shroud.

11. Rawan, to nets and cordage; as pukut sa-rawan, a seine net; jala dua rawan, two casting nets.

12. Bilah, to cutting weapons; as kris sa-bilah, one kris; pĕdang lima bilah, five swords.

13. Buntoh, to rings, fish-hooks, &c.; as kail sa-buntoh, a fish-hook; chinchin tiga buntoh, three rings.

14. Bidang, to things spread out; as destar sa-bidang, one head-cloth.

15. Butir, to fruit, seeds, and other small round objects; as nior sa-butir, a cocoa-nut; mutiara sa-butir, a pearl.

There are many other similar idiomatic terms, examples of which will be given in the more advanced lessons farther on.

XI. PARTICLES.

Most of the particles have been noticed in speaking of the verb, but there are three or four which require special mention.

Lah is affixed to words of all kinds, sometimes merely for the sake of euphony, but more frequently as a particle of intensity.

In the sentence ada-lah kapada suatu hari, it happened on a certain day, lah is simply expletive; but in the sentence dia-lah yang buat, it was he who did it, the particle serves to emphasise the word dia. The latter use of the particle lah is exemplified by its frequent employment to emphasise a command; as mari-lah, come; pergi-lah, go.

Kah is the interrogative particle. When affixed to words it is the sign of a question or a doubt; as itu-kah atau lain-kah? is it that or another? Antah sunggoh-kah atau tidak, it is doubtful whether it be true or not.

Tah is also an interrogative particle, but of less general use than kah. Apa-tah? what else? is a common phrase indicating assent.

Pun is annexed to all kinds of words, sometimes merely to give roundness to a phrase, sometimes with the sense of "too," or "also" (where the sentence is affirmative), or "nor," "neither" (where it is negative); as maka iya-pun datang, then he came; aku pun mahu, Itoo want it; siyang pun tidak malam pun tidak, it was neither day nor night.



PART II.

COMPOSITION OF SENTENCES.

Owing to the absence of inflexion, the composition of simple sentences in Malay offers few difficulties. The phrases and exercises which will be given in this Part are simple and elementary, serving thus as a preparation for others of progressive difficulty to be reached at a later stage.



LESSON I.

SUBSTANTIVES.

person (man, woman, or child), orang. man, laki-laki. woman, per-ampu-an. child, anak. house, rumah. water, ayer. fire, api. wind, angin. wood, kayu. carriage, kreta. horse, kuda. ship, kapal. steamer, kapal-api. boat, sampan. cow, ox, lumbu. dog, anjing. bird, burong. snake, ular. fish, ikan. sun, mata-hari. moon, bulan. star, bintang. sea, laut. river, sungei. cloth, kain.

ADJECTIVES.

good, baik. new, băharu. naughty, wicked, jahat. beautiful, bagus. pretty, chantek. wise, pandei. stupid, bodoh. large, bĕsar. small, kĕchil. deep, dalam. swift, laju. high, tinggi. round, bulat. old, tuah. young, muda. cold, sĕjuk. hot, panas. far, jauh. near, dĕkat. coarse, kasar. fine, halus.

ADVERBS.

very, baniak. exceedingly, sangat.

Before showing how sentences may be constructed with these words by means of the verb ada, and with the aid of the personal pronouns, two of the hints already given are here repeated:—

1. Adjectives follow their substantives.

2. The verb ada is frequently omitted and left to be understood.

EXAMPLES.

A bad man— Orang jahat. A pretty woman— Perampuan chantek. A high house— Rumah tinggi. A high wind— Angin bĕsar. Cold water— Ayer sĕjuk. This is my child— Ini anak sahaya (not, Ini ada sahaya punya anak). That bullock-cart is mine— Kreta lumbu itu sahaya punya. That pony-carriage is swift— Kreta kuda itu ada laju. That person has a dog— Orang itu ada sa'ekor anjing. That woman's cloth is very fine— Kain perampuan itu halus sangat. This man has one son and two daughters— Orang ini ada anak laki-laki sa'orang dan anak perampuan dua orang. The steamer is near— Kapal-api ada dĕkat. His child is very naughty— Anak dia baniak jahat. They have a boat— Dia orang ada sa'buah sampan. There are men and women— Ada orang laki-laki dan perampuan. The old man has a piece of coarse cloth— Orang tuah itu ada kain kasar sa'lei.

EXERCISE.

I am a good man. His child is very wise. The moon is round. They have a beautiful horse. My boat is very large. The sea is very deep. The sun and stars are very far off. This person has a vicious dog. That man's daughter is beautiful. This river is very swift. A small snake. This ox is very old. That person's boat is small. There are fish. There is a bird. The water of the river is warm. There are stupid people and there are wise people. His ship is very far off.



LESSON II.

ON THE SECOND PERSON.

The use of the word angkau and similar pronouns is to be avoided as much as possible. When the pronoun of the second person cannot be understood but must be expressed, angkau, or the local or provincial word used in substitution for it (according to the part of the Archipelago in which the speaker finds himself), may be employed. In addressing natives of rank or of superior position, the appropriate forms should be used. The word lu should never be used to a Malay; it is, however, in common use among those Chinese who use Malay as a medium of communication with other nationalities. On the subject of the second person see supra, p.49.

SUBSTANTIVES.

animal, bĕnatang. father (common form), bapa. father (polite form), ayah, ayahnda. mother (common form), mak, ibu. mother (polite form), bonda. elder brother, abang. elder sister, kakak. younger brother or sister, adek. boy or girl, budak. brother or sister, sudara. husband, laki. wife, bini. forest, hutan. tree, pokok. plain, padang. shop, kĕdei. fruit, buah. sky, langit. ground, tanah. dollar, ringgit. road, jalan. age, 'umur.

ADJECTIVES.

long, panjang. short, pendek, pandah. sweet, manis. wet, basah. dry, kĕring. many, baniak. rich, kaya. poor, miskin. strong, kuat. hard, kĕras. soft, lumbut. few, sadikit.

VERBS.

to say, kata. to go, pergi. to run, lari. to talk, chakap. to tell, bilang. to arrive, sampei. to sit, duduk. to dwell, tinggal. to send, kirim. to bring, bawa.

EXAMPLES.

To a Raja.

Your house is very large— Rumah tunku baniak besar. Your father is very old— Ayahnda tunku tuah sangat. This is your horse— Ini tunku punya kuda.

To a respectable Chinese.

There is a quantity of cloth in your shop— Ada baniak kain-kain didalam baba punya kĕdei. When did you arrive?— Towkay bila sampei? Your elder brother is very rich— Towkay punya abang baniak kaya. Your carriage and mine are alike— Kreta baba dengan kreta sahaya ada sama.

To a Malay Headman.

There are a number of people in your house— Ada baniak orang di-dalam rumah datoh. Your son is very strong— Anak datoh, baniak kuat. Where do you live?— Datoh di-mana tinggal?

To a Malay of superior rank.

What do you say to it?— Apa kata inche? Who told it to you?— Siapa bilang kapada inche? Your elder sister has a great many fruit-trees— Inche punya kakak ada baniak pokok buah.

To a Sayyid or Haji.

Where are you going to?— Tuan handak pergi ka-mana? What is your age?— Bĕr-apa 'umur tuan? I wish to talk a little with you— Sahaya handak chakap sadikit dengan tuan.

To Persons of inferior rank.

Who are you?— Siapa kamu? Is this yours?— Angkau punya-kah ini? Where is your house?— Di-mana rumah angkau? Bring your hat— Bawa topi sĕndiri. Where do you live?— Di-mana tinggal? Have you got a light?— Ada api? Why are you so late?— Apa buat lambat ini? When you were at the shop just now, who was there?— Apabila angkau di kĕdei tadi siapa ada di-situ?

EXERCISE.

Where is your shop? Is this your mother? You and your brother were running. You are very stupid. Have you told your elder sister? Your son has arrived. Was it you who sent fruit? What did you say to him? When will you go? You will bring a boat. You went to the jungle.



LESSON III.

SUBSTANTIVES.

news, khabar. workman, tukang. cat, kuching. rat, tikus. sugar, gula. needle, jarum. form, rupa. elephant, gajah.

ADJECTIVES.

excellent, endah. careful, jimat. worthless, burok. difficult, susah.

VERBS.

To do, make, buat. To seek, chăhari. To conceal, sembunyi. To find, obtain, dapat.

ON THE DEGREES OF COMPARISON.

One form of the comparative degree is similar in construction to the Hindustani comparative, that is to say, the object with which the comparison is made is put in the ablative case (by the use of the preposition deri or deri-pada), while the adjective remains unmodified by adverb or particle. Thus the phrase "This house is larger than that," may be rendered Besar rumah ini deri rumah itu (Yih ghar us ghar se baṛⱥ hai).

EXAMPLES.

The rumour is better than the reality— Endah khabar deri rupa. The Chinese workman is more skilful than the Kling— Pandei tukang China deri tukang Kling. The cat is larger than the mouse— Besar kuching deri tikus. This is better than that— Baik ini deri-pada itu. (Note that the adjective always precedes the objects compared.)

The comparative degree is also formed by the use of the adverb lebeh or ter-lebeh, more, prefixed to the adjective, which is followed by the preposition deri or deri-pada.

Hotter than before— Lebeh panas deri dahulu. Sweeter than honey— Lebeh manis deri gula. It is better to go than to remain— Ter-lebeh baik pergi deri-pada tinggal.

The adverb lagi, more, is sometimes used instead of lebeh.

You must make it larger— Mahu buat besar lagi. This is better— Ini lagi baik.

Another form of comparison is constructed with the adverb korang, less, prefixed to the adjective; as korang baik, not very good; korang biasa, inexperienced (lit. less accustomed).

The superlative degree is formed in several ways: First, by making a comparison of universal application; as—

This is the best (lit. this is better than all)— Baik ini deri sumua. The finest needle of all— Jarum yang lebeh halus deri-pada sumua-nia. The hardest of all to obtain— Yang ter-lebeh susah men-dapat deri-pada sumua-nia.

Secondly, by the use of the adverb sakali, very, exceedingly, after the adjective when the latter is preceded by the relative pronoun yang; as—

The best— Yang baik sakali. The worst— Yang burok sakali. Such-a-one was the handsomest— Yang elok sakali si-anu.

Thirdly, by duplication of the adjective, which then takes the particle sa before it; as—

The quickest pace of an elephant is the slowest walk of a man— Sa-chepat-chepat jalan-an gajah, sa-lambat-lambat jalan an orang. The very least— Sa-korang-korang. Utterly and completely guilty— Sa-penoh-penoh salah. The most just king— Sa-adil-adil raja. With the greatest care— Dengan sa-habis-habis jimat. You must look out for the very best article— Handak chăhari yang sa-baik-baik-nia. He hides it with the greatest pains— Di-sembunyi-kan-nia dengan sa-buleh-buleh-nia.

EXERCISE.

My horse is better than your horse. These people are more stupid than those. The form of the horse is handsomer than that of the elephant. The men are more wicked than the women. The pace of the horse is swifter than that of the elephant. That woman is the handsomest, but this one is the wisest. His house is the worst of all. Bring the slowest elephant of all. The father is wiser than the child. It is better to bring the ox than the horse.



LESSON IV.

ON INTENSIVES.

SUBSTANTIVES.

reception-hall, balei. room, bilek. stairs, tangga. a play, per-main-an. conduct, ka-laku-an. body, tuboh. head, kapala. year, tahun. month, bulan. price, harga. country, nĕgri. queen, permeisuri. king, raja. minister, mantri. patience, sabar.

ADJECTIVES.

ill, painful, sakit. cheap, morah. dear, mahal. wide, luas. astonished, heiran. thin, kurus. fat, gumok. illustrious, mulia. narrow, simpit. glad, suka.

VERBS.

to see, lihat. to demand, minta. to be able, buleh. to hear, dengar. to play, main. to look, tengok. to enter, masok to order, suroh.

On Intensives.— To express an intensive degree the particle ter is prefixed to adjectives and adverbs; as ter-bĕsar, very large; ter-kuasa, very powerful; ter-lebeh, most; ter-lalu, excessively; ter-lampau, surpassing; ter-amat, most exceedingly.

The adjective may also be intensified by duplication; as ikan yang besar-besar, great big fish; burong kechil-kechil, very small birds; nĕgri jauh-jauh, far-distant lands; dia harti baik-baik, he understands very well.

The following adverbs are of frequent use in heightening the sense of words:—

baniak, very. amat, exceedingly. sangat, very. sakali, quite, most. ter-lebeh, most. ter-lalu, excessively. ter-langsong, } surpassingly. ter-lampau, } ter-amat, most exceedingly.

All of these precede the positive except sakali, which invariably follows it. Amat and sangat are also sometimes placed after the adjective which they qualify.

It is common to use more than one of these words with the same adjective, just as we say "the very most."

EXAMPLES.

There were a very great number of people in the reception-hall— Di balei itu ter-amat-lah baniak orang. His body was very thin— Tuboh-nia sangat kurus. The performance was exceedingly pretty— Sangat-lah chantek itu per-main-an. He was immensely astonished at seeing it— Dia ter-lalu heiran me-lihat-kan. This year all fruit is very plentiful and cheap— Tahun ini sagala buah-buah sangat-lah baniak dan morah harga-nia. You must be exceedingly patient— Handak-lah dengan sabar sangat. Very stupid in appearance— Ter-lalu bodoh rupa-nia. The road is very bad— Jalan itu burok sakali. Most exceedingly painful— Yang ter-lebeh sangat sakit. It was a very large country— Ter-lalu amat besar negri itu. His conduct was too bad— Ter-lampau jahat ka-laku-an-nia.

The adjective maha, great, is similarly used; as maha besar, very great; maha mulia, most illustrious; maha kuasa, all-powerful.

EXERCISE.

He demanded a very high price. He is very ill. Your father was exceedingly wise. It is a very large river. I am very frightened. The water is very deep. Those Chinese are very wicked. The most illustrious and most mighty queen. The old man's cow is very thin. I was much surprised at hearing it. He brought some very big horses. Some very large ships have arrived. This month fish is very cheap. The room is very wide. The river was much too narrow, the ship could not enter. I have a very bad headache.



LESSON V.

INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES.

In asking a question, the tone of the voice sometimes marks the interrogation sufficiently.

Sometimes the interrogation is marked by the use of the particle -kah affixed to the emphatic word of the sentence.

Sometimes the interrogative form of a sentence is shown by the use of such words as—

apa, what? siapa, who? ka-mana, where? bĕr-apa, how many? mana, who, which, how? bagei-mana, how? apa sebab, or } apa buat, or } why? mengapa }

SUBSTANTIVES.

time, kali. rain, hujan. market, pasar. stone, batu. use, guna. iron, besi. steel, baja. tin, timah. lead, timah hitam. copper, tambaga. box, pĕti. kind, sort, macham. tobacco, tambakau. coffee, kahwah. tea, teh, cha. tea (dry), daun teh. tea (liquid), ayer teh. money, wang. jacket, baju. trousers, saluar.

EXAMPLES.

What is the matter?— Apa korang? What is to be done? (i.e., there is nothing to be done)— Apa bulik buat? What is the use?— Apa guna? Whence do you come?— Deri-mana datang kamu? Where are you going?— Handak pergi ka-mana? Why did you not tell me sooner?— Apa buat ta'bilang dahulu? What do you say?— Apa kata kamu? Why do ye run?— Mengapa kumu orang lari? Where did you get that?— Di-mana-kah angkau dapat itu? Which tree shall I cut down?— Pokoh mana handak tebang? How many days ago?— Bĕrapa hari sudah? When was he at the market?— Bila-mana dia di pasar? Whose house is this?— Rumah ini siapa punya? Are there many Chinese in Patani?— Baniak-kah orang China di Patani? Was it truly he who did it?— Sunggoh-kah dia yang buat? Is it this one or another?— Ini-kah atau lain-kah? Is it going to rain?— Handak hujan-kah? What is the price of this?— Bĕrapa harga ini? What is the news? (How goes it?)— Apa khabar? How could I dare to do it ?— Macham mana sahaya bĕrani buat?

EXERCISE.

Where is my jacket? What did he say? Why do you come here? Are there any dollars in the box? How many times has it rained this month? Whose tin is this? Who brought this tobacco? Did you demand the money from his father? Whence did you obtain this news? Did you order him to bring the coffee? How many miles (lit. stones) is it to the market? Shall I cut down this tree? Have you seen that play? Who was that who brought the fish? What kind of animal is that? When were you at the house? Why do they not enter?

Sometimes the word apa at the commencement of a sentence gives it an interrogative sense;[1] as apa, tuan ta' makan daging karbau? do you not eat buffalo meat? apa tiada-kah sukar leher bangau itu? what! would not the stork's neck be inconveniently long? apa tiada-kah tuan-hamba kenal akan bangau itu? does not my lord recognise that stork?[2]

[Footnote 1: Like the Hindustani kya or the Latin an, num. Forbes' Hindustani Manual.]

[Footnote 2: Sri Rama. Favre's Grammar, p. 92.]



LESSON VI.

FORMATION OF NEGATIVE SENTENCES.

Tidak, no. Tiada, is not (are, was, were, do, did not, &c.). Bukan, no, not. Jangan, don't, let not. Antah, I know not; who knows? there is no saying. Jangan-kan, not only, not, so far from.

Bukan is a more emphatic denial than tidak. It is also used, either alone or with the affix -kah, to signify is it not? is it not so?

Tiada is generally abbreviated colloquially to t'ada and t'a' (in Java trada and tra).

Antah is an expression of doubt.

EXAMPLES.

Yes or no?— Ya atau tidak. That which is he causes not to be; that which is not he causes to be— Yang ada dia tidak-kan, yang tidak dia ada-kan. It is nothing = never mind— Tidak apa. He got no small quantity of fish— Dia men-dapat ikan bukan sadikit. Her beauty was of no ordinary kind— Molek-nia bukan alang-kapalang. Is this his house or not?— Ini-kah rumah dia atau bukan? Indescribable, wonderful— Bukan buat-an lagi (lit. it was no longer doing). You said just now that you went home first, did you not?— Kata kamu tadi sudah pulang ka rumah dahulu, bukan-kah? He is not my child— Bukan-lah iya anak hamba. He will not come— Dia ta' mahu datang. I asked him a great many times, but he would not— Sahaya minta bĕrapa kali tiada dia mahu. There are no fish in the market— T'ada ikan di pasar. I do not know where he has gone— Antah ka-mana pergi-nia. There is no saying how many of them died— Antah ber-apa baniak-nia yang mati. It cannot be otherwise— Ta' dapat tiada. He cannot enter— Dia ta'bulih masok. Do not go— Jangan pergi. Do not believe what people say— Jangan perchaya akan perkata-an orang. Shall I enter the house or not?— Masok-kah aku dalam rumah atau jangan-kah? So far from obtaining it, we did not even see it— Jangan-kan dapat, me-lihat-pun tidak. Not to speak of you, of me, even, they are afraid— Jangan-kan tuan, hamba-tuan pun dia orang takut.

EXERCISE.

He said no. That conduct is not proper. He cannot write. The children are not in the house. So far from getting a pony-carriage, we cannot even get a bullock-cart. Not to speak of the night, by day even people are afraid to go there. There is no saying how it happened. Do not go near. Shall I give the fruit to the woman or not? There are not many horses here. Do you not know that? The Chinaman will not say yes or no. Do not be afraid. If the seed is good it cannot but be that the fruit is good also. The wind was of no ordinary force (kuat).

New words in this Lesson to be learned by heart.

Beautiful, beauty, molek; dead, to die, mati; to believe, perchaya; saying, speech, per-kata-an (from kata, to say); to fear, takut; to write, tulis; night, malam; daylight, siyang; seed, biji; doing, making, fabrication, manufacture, buat-an (from buat, to do, to make); to go away, go home, pulang.



LESSON VII.

ON THE USE OF PREPOSITIONS.

For a list of the most useful prepositions see supra, p. 63.

EXAMPLES.

We are going up the mountain— Kita handak naik ka-atas gunong. For every orlong (land-measure) ten cents— Pada satu orlong sa-puloh duit.[3] The clerks who are under him— Krani-krani yang di-bawah-nia. Many people have settled at that place— Baniak orang sudah masok di tampat itu. He saw it from outside— Deri luar iya me-lihat-kan. People have remarked upon the subject before me (in my presence)— Ada juga orang ter-kenang-kan hal itu di hadap-an sahaya. The Raja gave a present to him— Raja membĕri hadia kapada-nia. Che Ismail has made preparations for marrying his daughter to (with) Haji Daud— Che Ismail sudah siap handak me-nikaḥ-kan anak-nia dengan Haji Daud. They were sentenced by the judge— Di-ḥukum-kan uleh ḥakim. Among the four men three were wounded and one ran away— Di-dalam ampat orang itu tiga luka satu lari. I want to know about that affair— Sahaya handak tahu deri-pada hal itu. The case was begun on the first day of the month— Kapada satu hari bulan di-mula-i bichara-nia. With great haste— Dengan sangat gopoh. He has gone towards the kitchen— Sudah dia jalan sa-bĕlah dapor. On both sides of the road— Antara ka-dua bĕlah jalan. Regarding the subject of that document— Akan hal surat itu. After a few days— Lepas sadikit hari. He was buried near his father— Di-ḳubur-kan dĕkat ayah-nia. According to their circumstances— Atas ḳadar-nia. According to his strength— Sa-kadar kuasa-nia. Go to your master— Pergi sama tuan kamu. He inquired about a murder— Dia preḳsa fasal bunoh. Another version behind your back— Balik bĕlakang lain bichara. Between earth and sky— Antara bumi dan langit. To walk through the water— Ber-jalan trus ayer. For the sake of God— Karana Allah. As far as the cross-roads— Hingga sempang jalan. Until now— Sampei sakarang.

[Footnote 3: In Penang 1 duit = 1 cent.; in Singapore and Malacca cent.]

EXERCISE.

He lives upon the hill. On the tenth day of the month. They came before the raja. His master gave a dollar to him. He was buried by his brothers. After that all went away. Among those ten persons six are men and four are women. As regards the subject of that case, inquiry is now being made. Each man received according to his circumstances. In which direction has he gone, towards the right or towards the left? Between the house and the river. How much will you receive for every pikul of tin? The dogs are under the house. They sat upon the ground. He arrived at that place with fifteen men. They remained until night.

The following words used in this lesson should be committed to memory:—

Clerk, krani; place, tampat; affair, subject, hal; gift, present, hadia; judge, ḥakim; order, sentence, ḥukum; case, negotiation, bichara; hurried, haste, gopoh; kitchen, dapor; a grave, ḳubur; to bury, ḳubur-kan; rate, condition, circumstances, ḳadar; strength, power, kuasa; the back, bĕlakang; the earth, bumi; God, Allah; fork (of a road), sempang; side, bĕlah.

To ascend, naik; to reflect, consider, kenang; wounded, to wound, luka; to marry, nikaḥ; to give in marriage, nikaḥ-kan; to examine, inquire into, preḳsa; to kill, bunoh; to receive, tĕrima.



LESSON VIII.

ON THE WORDS SUDAH AND HABIS.

SUBSTANTIVES.

a lock, kunchi. a key, anak kunchi. accounts, kira-kira. skill, ka-pandei-an. anger, ka-marah-an. small-pox, ka-tumboh-an. loss, rugi. disease, penyakit. an egg, tĕlor. an axe, kapak. the foot, kaki. cold (in the head), sardi. dagger, kris, kris. rocks, reef, karang. a fine, denda. blemish, chachat.

VERBS.

to lock, kunchi-kan. to try, attempt, choba. to expend, bĕlanja. to be silent, diam. to break, pechah. to stab, tikam. to beat, pukul. to be destroyed, binasa. to burn, bakar; burnt, ter-bakar. to be angry, marah. to loose, lepas; loosed ter-lepas. to disobey, bantah. to cheat, tipu. to be damaged, rosak. to rob, samun. to bite (as a snake), pagut.

ADJECTIVES.

guilty, salah. black, hitam. slow, lambat. rotten, busuk. severe, tĕrok. fit, suitable, probable, harus.

ADVERBS.

quickly, lăkas. slowly, perlahan.

Sudah is classed as an adverb, but its most common use is to serve as a kind of auxiliary verb in forming the past tenses. It is translateable, according to the context, by the words and phrases, has, had; has, have, and had been, or become; done, finished, completed, &c.

Habis signifies done, finished, exhausted, expended; utterly, completely. The use of these words with verbs will be seen from the following examples:—

EXAMPLES.

Have you locked the door?— Sudah kunchi-kan pintu-kah? I have— Sudah. When I reached the house he was already there (lit. had become present before)— Tatkala sahaya sampei di rumah dia sudah ada dahulu. It is not yet finished— Belum sudah. It is half finished (just being finished)— Tengah handak sudah. Nearly finished— Dekat mahu sudah. Long ago— Lama sudah. A month ago, more or less— Lebih korang sa'bulan sudah. That is enough— Sudah-lah. It has gone bad— Sudah busuk. It is over— Sudah habis. His father is an old man (has become old)— Bapa-nia sudah tuah. Try to complete this— Choba-lah bagi sudah. He understands (has arrived at understanding) accounts very well— Pasal kira-kira sudah iya harti baik-baik. Now it is (has become) near— Sakarang sudah dĕkat. They are all dead and gone— Sumua-nia mati habis. Entirely destroyed— Habis binasa. It is all spent— Sudah bĕlanja habis. When he had finished speaking— Apabila sudah habis chakap. All were quite silent— Habis-lah diam sumua. The utmost of his skill— Sa-habis ka-pandei-an dia.

EXERCISE.

He is dead. He died long ago. He had made preparations for going away. Are they all ready? The workman says that the box is not yet finished. He has gone to Malacca. I have seen this before. The tea is finished. All the eggs are broken. The house was entirely burnt. He spent all his father's money. Finish that quickly. They have gone back to their own country. That house is nearly finished. I arrived here a year ago. When you have finished writing that letter go home. It is now at a distance. I am just finishing this letter.



LESSON IX.

ON THE VERB KĔNA.

Kĕna, in the sense of "to incur," is frequently used with other words to express the passive mood. Thus, instead of "he was fined," Malays will say "he incurred a fine;" instead of "he was blamed," "he incurred anger." Kĕna also means to touch, strike, hit, affect. Kĕna apa? "affected by what?" is frequently pronounced as a single word, kenapa, meaning "why?"

He was prosecuted— Dia kĕna bichara. They were sentenced to five years each— Kĕna hukum atas sa'orang lima tahun. He incurred the displeasure of his father— Dia kĕna ka-marah-an deri-pada bapa-nia. The axe slipped in his hand and took effect on the back of his leg— Ter lepas di tangan kapak itu, kĕna di bĕlakang kaki-nia. Those who have not yet had small-pox— Orang yang belum kĕna ka-tumboh-an.[4] If any one disobeys he will be fined five dollars— Kalau ada siapa ban tah nanti kĕna denda lima ringgit. I have been cheated— Sahaya sudah kĕna tipu. He has been found guilty— Dia sudah kĕna salah. He died of a snake-bite— Dia mati kĕna pagut ular. That won't do (does not hit it)— Ta' kĕna bagitu. Don't go there, you may be injured— Jangan pergi sana, barangkali kĕna satu apa-apa. I am always catching cold— Salalu sahaya kĕna sardi.[5] If the medicine does not take effect it is likely that the disease will take a long time to be cured (i.e., the patient will probably die)— Kalau tiada kĕna ubat-nia harus juga lambat baik penyakit itu.

[Footnote 4: The Malay word for small-pox differs in various localities. In Penang the common word is ka-tumboh-an (lit. eruption); in Malacca and Singapore, chachar; in Perak, si-tawar and sakit orang baik (lit. "disease of the good people," a euphuism); in some parts of Borneo, puru nasi.]

[Footnote 5: Sardi (Persian and Hindustani) is the word used by the Malays of Penang. Selesima and selimat generally mean more than a mere cold in the head.]

EXERCISE.

He died of a stab with a kris. He was put to great expense. The ship was damaged by striking on the rocks. They were fined twenty dollars each. It did not receive a single blemish. Those who disobey will be prosecuted. He was very severely beaten. What has happened to the dog that he limps like that? He has been robbed on the road. He suffered no small loss. That place won't do. This letter has been blackened by fire. Yesterday he incurred his master's anger.



LESSON X.

ON THE VERBS BULEH, BAHAGI, &C.

The verbs buleh, can, or to be able; bahagi, to give (lit. to divide); kasih and bĕri, to give, grant; and biar, to permit, to suffer, are frequently used to govern other verbs, which they invariably precede.

Buleh is a contraction of ber-uleh, a verb formed from the preposition uleh, by, by means of. The primary meaning of ber-uleh or buleh is to obtain, effect, and hence it has come to mean "to be able." The original sense of the word may be seen in such sentences as ber-uleh per-minta-an, to obtain (compliance with) a request; sudah-kah buleh anak? have you had a child?

EXAMPLES.

How can one know?— Mana buleh tahu? Can you read English?— Kamu buleh-kah mem-bacha surat Inggris? It is not to be calculated— Tiada-lah buleh handak di-kira-kira lagi. Every month I remind (give to remember) him— Tiap-tiap bulan ada hamba-tuan bĕri ingat. To feed (lit. give to eat)— Bĕri makan. Just read that and let me hear it— Choba bacha itu biar sahaya dengar. I wished to speak to him, but they would not let me— Sahaya handak chakap dengan dia orang ta' bahagi. He informed (gave to know) the Penghulu— Dia bĕri tahu kapada Penghulu. Send those people away— Kasih pulang orang-orang itu. Let it fall— Biar jatoh.

EXERCISE.

I cannot open the door. He tried to stab him, but could not touch him. Let him strike. Let the axe drop. His brother cannot understand the accounts. Let that child go back to the house. I wanted to give him a little tea, but they would not permit it. The raja sent (gave to go) messengers. He brought (gave to come) his wife and children. Can I live here? I have searched, but I cannot find it. He lets them come into the house. When can you come?

Request, per-minta-an, from minta, to ask; messenger, lit. one ordered, penyuroh, from suroh, to order; to remember, ingat; to read, bacha; to fall, jatoh; every, tiap-tiap.



LESSON XI.

ON THE VERBS LANGSONG, LALU, &C.

In describing a proceeding which involves motion to a place or continuous action on the part of some person or thing, it is common to use the words langsong, lanjar or lanchar, and lalu, to proceed, go, direct one's course. Their signification in a sentence is not easily translateable in English, but it is perhaps best rendered by the English idiom, to go and do a thing. Sometimes the effect is that of the adverbs "immediately," "at last," "incontinently," "forthwith," "altogether." Langsong is generally used in Penang, but in Perak the Malays generally use lanjar in the same sense.

EXAMPLES.

Intending to cook (food), to go and burn it— Handak masak langsong hangus. He went to Meccah and never returned— Dia pergi ka-Makah lanjar ta' balik. The pony fell down and immediately died— Rĕbah kuda itu langsong mati. He journeyed to Singapore and thence on to Johor— Ber-laiar-lah dia ka-Singgapura lalu ka-Johor. He spat it out and then went and licked it up again— Sudah ludah lalu di-jilat (a proverb). He took a knife and forthwith stabbed him— Dia ambil pisau langsong tikam. He visited the districts down the river and thence went on to Kampar— Dia pergi ka-daira rantau hilir, lanjar ka-Kampar. He has gone altogether— Dia sudah pergi langsong.

Lalu is often used in the sense of "can," "able," instead of buleh.

I cannot do it— Sahaya ta' lalu buat. For a day or two past she has been unable to eat— Sudah satu dua hari dia ta' lalu makan nasi.[6] Will fish swallow a bare hook?— Ada-kah ikan lalu me-makan mata kail sahaja?

[Footnote 6: Makan nasi, eat rice. Malays do not, like us, say simply eat, read, write. It is more idiomatic to say, eat rice, read book, write letter.]

EXERCISE.

He got up and forthwith went away. He was very angry, and at once ordered him to go out. The ship struck on a rock and immediately sunk. He ate rice and then went to sleep. He stabbed him twice and immediately ran away. He came out of the house and at once fell down. He returned to his country and died there. Do you intend to go direct to Johor?

To cook, masak; to burn, hangus; to fall down, rĕbah; to return, balik; to spit, ludah; to lick, jilat; to take, ambil; to eat, makan; to go out, kaluar; to sink, tinggalam; a sail, laiar; to sail; ber-laiar; a knife, pisau; a district, daira; rice, bĕras; boiled rice, nasi; fish-hook, mata kail; reach of a river, rantau; down-stream, hilir; up-stream, hulu.



LESSON XII.

ON THE WORDS SAMPAT AND DAN.

Sampat, to be able, competent to, opportunity, fit time; and dan, occasion, opportunity, fit time, are two useful words which are employed with verbs in much the same manner as buleh, lalu, &c.

In some parts of the peninsula (Perak, for example), sampang is used instead of sampat.

These words are used more generally to state a negative proposition than an affirmative one.

EXAMPLES.

They are not able to stand— Tiada-lah sampat iya ber-diri. There was not time (for the fire) to spread to the inner part of the house, but (it was confined) to the cook-room— Tiada sampang di-makan sampei ka-dalam rumah hania sa-bĕlah dapor sahaja. There was no time to render assistance— Tiada dan di-tulong. He is not in a position to resist— Tiada sampat iya me-lawan. I was not in time to see him; he had already started— Ta'dan ber-jumpa, sudah dia jalan dahulu. Such of them as could not gain the shore— Barang yang tiada sampat naik ka-darat.

EXERCISE.

He ran away before I was able to seize him. They were unable to run away, for people seized them. He went away quickly, so I had no time to see him. That place is very far off; there is not time to reach it in one day. He fell down and died before one could render assistance. Yesterday I was in a great hurry and had not time to finish what I was saying. There is not time to finish it in two days. Before I could stand up he struck me.

To stand, ber-diri; except, but, hania; to help, tulong; to resist, oppose, lawan; to meet, jumpa; land, darat; any, some, each, every, barang.



PART III.

The preceding lessons, it is hoped, will have explained and illustrated in some degree the construction of sentences in Malay. It is now proposed to give a series of useful words and phrases applicable for the most part to common domestic incidents, so that the student may at once have at command the phrases most likely to be required in speaking to native servants. Unfortunately for the purity of the dialect spoken at the British settlements in the Straits of Malacca, the majority of the domestic servants there are foreigners (natives of India, Chinese, Javanese, &c.), who seldom speak Malay well, either as regards style or pronunciation. It is assumed that the student aims at something more than clothing foreign idioms with Malay words, and he should be on his guard therefore against the errors of people of this class. Facility of expression and the accurate use of idioms can only be acquired by much practice in speaking with Malays, and by attentive study of Malay authors.



LESSON XIII.

{ breakfast, } Bring { dinner, } { luncheon, } Bawa makan-an.[1] Put bread on the table— Taroh roti di-atas meja.[2] Is there any milk?— Susu ada-kah? A little sugar— Gula sadikit. Shut the door— Tutup (OR katup) pintu. Open the window— Buka jandela[3] (OR tingkap). Light the candle— Pasang[4] dian[5] (OR lilin). Put out the lamp— Padam palita.[6] I am very hungry— Sahaya lapar sangat. Have you eaten rice?— Sudah makan nasi? What will you drink, sir?— Tuan apa handak minum? Go quickly— Pergi lakas. Don't be long— Jangan lambat. Call him here— Panggil din ka-mari. Tell him to come here— Ajak dia kamari. Tell him I want to speak to him— Khabar-kan dia sahaya handak chakap sadikit. Don't make a noise— Jangan engar-engar. Go to the right— Pergi ka-kanan. Go towards the right— Pergi sa-bĕlah kanan. Turn to the left— Pusing sa-bĕlah kiri. Come— Mari. Mari-lah. Come here— Mari sini. Mari di-sini. Mari-lah ka-mari. Come near— Mari dĕkat. Come quite near— Mari dĕkat-dĕkat.

[Footnote 1: Lit. eatables. Sometimes the Hindustani word hazri is used for breakfast.]

[Footnote 2: Meza or meja, table, is borrowed from the Persian.]

[Footnote 3: Jandela is from the Portuguese janella, and is applied to the windows of the houses of Europeans. Tingkap is the window or window-shutter of a native house.]

[Footnote 4: Pasang signifies to give action to, to apply.]

[Footnote 5: Dian is the better word. Lilin is literally wax.]

[Footnote 6: Palita, in Hindustani (corrupted from the Persian patilah), signifies the match of a gun, a candle, a wick used in sorcery.]

EXERCISE.

Bring some bread. Where are you going? Light the lamp quickly. Bring tea, sugar, and milk. Put two candles on the table. Is there any coffee? When you reach the cross-roads turn to the right. Eat first and then go. Don't tell any one. Who is making a noise outside? He told him to come quite near. Light the lamp and then shut all the windows.



LESSON XIV.

I want a servant (lit. a hired man)— Sahaya handak chahari orang gaji sa'orang. Where did you work before?— Di-mana kerja dahulu? What wages do you want per month?— Bĕr-apa mahu gaji pada sa-bulan? I will give seven dollars a month— Sahaya handak kasih tujoh ringgit sa-bulan. Take care— Jaga baik-baik. Hold it quite straight— Pegang-lah betul-betul. Steady now; don't let it slant— Baik-baik-lah jangan singet. Don't forget— Jangan lupa. Call the syce— Panggil sais.[7] Have you cleaned the horse?— Kuda sudah gosok-kah? Just as you please— Mana suka tuan. Just as you may order— Mana hukum tuan. What o'clock is it (lit. Has struck how many times)?— Sudah pukul bĕr-apa? It has struck twelve— Sudah pukul dua-bĕlas. It is half-past ten— Sudah pukul sa-puloh sa-tengah. It wants a quarter to one— Pukul satu korang suku. Take away those shoes— Bawa pergi kasut[8] itu. Take away all the things— Angkat-lah perkakas-an sumua. Get the carriage ready— Siap-kan kreta,[9] or sedia-kan-lah kreta. Have you ordered the carriage?— Kreta sudah suroh pasang-kah? Put the horse to— Kĕna-kan kuda. A pair of horses— Kuda sa-pasang. Saddle the black horse— Bubok zin[10] diatas kuda hitam. Bring the riding-horse— Bawa kuda tunggang.

[Footnote 7: Sa'is (Hindustani, derived from Arabic), groom, horsekeeper.]

[Footnote 8: Kasut is the native word, but sapatu (Portuguese sapato) is also extensively used to signify boots and shoes of European pattern.]

[Footnote 9: Kreta, Portuguese carreta.]

[Footnote 10: Zin, Hindustani and Persian. Palana (Hindustani and Persian patan, a pack-saddle) and sela (Portuguese sella) are also used.]

EXERCISE.

Get dinner ready. How much do you give your syce a month? At two o'clock or half-past two, just as you like. I intend to dine at seven o'clock; don't forget. Hold it carefully, and don't let it fall. Where are all the servants? Have you ordered the syce to saddle the horse? Take care; this horse is rather vicious. At what time shall I get the carriage ready? I shall return at five o'clock. Call some one to hold the horse. I have brought one pair of shoes.



LESSON XV.

Is the cook there?— Tukang[11] masak ada-kah? I keep one grass-cutter for every two horses— Pada dua-dua ekor kuda sahaya upah tukang-rumput sa'orang. The gardener does not work on Friday— Hari juma'at tukang-kabun tiada kerja. Be good enough to order two pairs of shoes at the shoemaker's— Tulong-lah păsan pada tukang-kasut dua pasang kasut. What I want are shoes that lace up— Yang sahaya handak itu, kasut yang ber-tali. Where does the goldsmith live?— Di-mana tinggal tukang-mas? Look out for some good carpenter— Chăhari-lah tukang-kayu mana-mana satu yang pandei sadikit. How much must I pay the blacksmith?— Bĕrapa handak baiar kapada tukang bĕsi? The painter says it will be finished in two days— Kata tukang-chat lagi dua hari habis-lah. It must be here at two o'clock without fail— Mahu ada di-sini jam pukul dua, ta' bulih tidak. I am sorry that so-and-so has not come— Sayang-lah si-anu ta' datang. What a pity!— Kasih-an! Poor old man!— Kasihan-lah orang tuah! On what day will the washerman come?— Hari mana dobi[12] handak datang? I will not give it— Sahaya ta' mahu kasih. He asks too much— Dia minta ter-lampau baniak. He asks too long a price— Dia minta mahal sangat. Speak slowly— Chakap perlahan-perlahan. Has he brought anything?— Sudah dia bawa apa-apa?

[Footnote 11: Tukang. This word in Malay corresponds to our "fellow," the Hindustani wala and the Tamul karen. When used, as in the examples above given, as part of a compound, it signifies agent, doer, keeper.]

[Footnote 12: Dhobi is Hindustani; binara, washerman, is the most idiomatic term, but tukang-basoh is often heard, also, in Batavia, tukang menatu.]

EXERCISE.

What has the cook brought? Tell the washerman to come in three days. How much does he ask? Why is the gardener not working? The shoemaker was not at his house. Have you called the blacksmith? When will you give it to me? If you speak slowly I can understand. I do not want the carriage to-day. Be good enough to call the grass-cutter. Poor little child! The black horse is dead. I am sorry about that horse. Did he demand anything?



LESSON XVI.

Pour out the tea— Tuang ayer teh. This water is not hot enough— Ayer ini ta' panas bĕtul. When it is boiling bring it— Apa-bila ayer men-didih baharu-lah bawa. Boil two eggs— Masak tĕlor dua biji. Kill a fowl— Potong (OR sembilik[13]) hayam sa' ekor. Don't scald it; pluck the feathers out— Jangan chelor, bulu-nia chabut satu-satu. Make an omelette— Buat dadar telor. Count these knives— Choba bilang pisau ini bĕrapa. A person has brought bread for sale— Ada orang handak jual roti. Take two loaves— Ambil-lah dua kĕtul. What kind of meat do you wish me to get?— Daging apa macham tuan handak suroh chăhari? I am not particularly fond of beef— Daging lumbu sahaya ta' bĕrapa gamar. See if you can get any mutton— Choba preḳsa daging kambing barang-kali dapat kĕlak.[14] Is the meat to be roasted or boiled?— Daging handak panggang-kah handak rebus-kah? Mince it up fine— Chinchang lumat-lumat. Don't be troublesome— Jangan bising. This is the fruit-season— Ini-lah musim buah kayu. What kind of fruit is there for sale now?— Apa macham buah orang jual sakarang? Mangoes, mangostins, and oranges— Buah mampelam, buah manggis dan limau manis. Are there any shaddocks?— Limau kadangsa ada-kah? Buy about a dozen limes— Bĕli limau asam barang dua-bĕlas biji. The basket is full— Bakul sudah pĕnoh. Bring a basket to put these things into— Bawa-lah raga handak isi-kan barang-barang ini. This durian is unripe— Buah durian ini muda lagi. No, sir; its pulp is delicious— Tidak tuan, elok sakali isi-nia. These durians are not to be surpassed— Ta' lawan-lah buah durian ini.

[Footnote 13: Sembilik is used only of the killing of an animal by a Muhammadan for consumption by Muhammadans. It is a corruption of the Arabic phrase Bi-smi-llⱥhi, which is pronounced as the animal's throat is cut.]

[Footnote 14: Kĕlak implies a doubt, "perchance," "may be."]

EXERCISE.

I am not very fond of poultry. Why does not the cook bring a basket? Are not these mangoes unripe? How many mangostins are there in the basket? Can you make an omelette? Boil the mutton and roast the beef. When the water is boiling put the egg in. Count the limes which the cook has brought. How many loaves of bread do you take each day? He is not very clever at cooking.



LESSON XVII.

Call a hack-carriage— Panggil kreta sewa. I want to hire this carriage to go to church— Sahaya mahu sewa kareta ini handak pergi ka-greja.[15] What fare shall I have to pay?— Bĕrapa nanti kĕna bayar penyewa-nia? Can you get there in half-an-hour?— Tengah jam buleh sampei-kah? Has the gun fired (lit. sounded)?— Mariam[16] sudah ber-bunyi-kah? The cannon has gone off— Mariam sudah me-letup. He fired a musket— Dia me-letup-kan snapang.[17] Let go. Leave hold— Lepas tangan. Who is there?— Siapa ada? Bring a light— Bawa api. Where are the matches?— Di-mana goris api? Say that again— Choba kata lagi sakali. I did not quite hear— Sahaya ta' bĕrapa dengar. They are great liars— Dia orang kuat mem-bohong. I dare not tell you a lie— Sahaya ta' bĕrani mem-bohong kapada tuan. I am very sorry to hear it— Sahaya baniak susah hati men-dengar. Move to the right— Kĕsak ka-kanan. This is a very large pine-apple— Ter-lalu besar sa-biji nanas ini. Plantains are of various kinds— Macham-macham-lah pisang. I cannot come to-morrow— Besok sahaya ta' buleh kamari. Cut this stick in two— Kayu ini kĕrat dua. Bring some wine and water— Bawa anggor sama ayer. Has the rain stopped?— Sudah tedoh-kah hujan? It has moderated— Ada sidang sadikit. The rain is very heavy— Hujan lebat sakali. It has stopped— Sudah ber-hinti.

[Footnote 15: Greja, from the Portuguese iglesia.]

[Footnote 16: Mariam, taken evidently, though unconsciously, from the Portuguese name of the Holy Virgin. —Crawfurd.]

[Footnote 17: Snapang, from the Dutch snaphaan.]

EXERCISE.

Tell him to go slowly. Ask the syce for matches. Tell him to light the lamps. He dare not go home alone. I told him to let go. Have you heard the gun fire? One cannot get there in an hour. He will hire out (lit. give to hire) his carriage. When the rain has stopped I will go there. He does not drink wine. Fire off the gun again. I do not quite like it. He demands much too high a fare.



LESSON XVIII.

Is dinner ready?— Makan-an sudah sedia-kah? I have invited five gentlemen to dine here this evening— Sudah sahaya per-sila-kan tuan-tuan lima orang me-makan di-sini malam ini. You must cool the wine well— -Mahu-lah sejuk-kan anggor baik-baik. If there is not enough saltpetre get more— Kalau korang sendawa ambil-lah lagi. There is plenty of ice— Ayer băku[18] ada baniak. What is the price of Bengal potatoes by the catty?— Ubi Benggala bĕrapa harga sa-kati? Wipe the spoons and forks with a cloth— Senduk garfu sumua-nia sapu-lah sama kain. There is a hole in this tablecloth— Kain meja ini ber-lobang. It caught on a nail and was torn— Sudah ter-sangkut di-hujong paku langsong koyah-lah. Some gravy was spilt on it— Kuah di-tumpah di-atas-nia. Let the vegetables be perfectly hot— Sayur-sayur biar hangat sakali. It is difficult to get fish at this hour— Ikan payah di-chahari bagini hari. The pomfret is better than the sole— Baik ikan bawal deri-pada ikan lidah. He is washing the plates— Dia mem-basoh piring. That lad is very handy— Chĕpat sakali budak itu. Pull out the cork— Chabut penyumbat.[19] Put in the cork— Bubok-lah penyumbat. Do you want this bottle for any purpose?— Tuan handak ber-guna-kan balang[20] ini? Bring finger-glasses (lit. water to wash the hands)— Bawa ayer basoh tangan.

[Footnote 18: Lit. "congealed water;" ayer batu, "stone water" is also used, but less correctly.]