'-Nya!' Discover a quick way to emphasize an adjective in Malay
You can add -nya to an adjective when speaking Malay and immediately sound like a Malaysian by doing this simple trick.
In another post, we've learnt how to use adverbs of degree. Now, there's actually a more succinct way to emphasize what you want to describe by using 'kata penekan' (emphasis word).
How to use -nya
So, how do we use this suffix?
First, look out of your window. What does the sky look like?
Blue? Vast? Bright?
In English, you might say, "How vast!" To say exactly this in Malay, just exclaim:
"Luasnya!"
Personally, I like how blue the sky is. So, I would say:
"How blue!"
"Birunya!"
"How bright!"
"Cerahnya!"
Get the idea now?
So, if you stick "-nya" to the back of an adjective, it emphasizes the meaning of the adjective.
In longer sentences, the usage would be as follows:
Indahnya pemandangan.
What a beautiful view.
Tingginya awak!
You're so tall!
Panasnya cuaca hari ini.
The weather today is so hot.
Why don't you give it a try? Here is a list of adjectives you can play around with!
Vocabulary List ⤵️
Comel - Cute 😊
Licin - Slippery 🌊
Sejuk - Cold ❄️
Busuk - Smelly 🚽
Rendah - Low/Short 🪴
Meriah - Lively 🎉
Tebal - Thick 📚
Laju - Fast 🏃♂️
Lambat - Late 🕚
Panjang - Long (Length) 📏
Ringan - Light (weight) 📎
Keras - Hard (surface) 🪵
Mahal - Expensive 🤑
How was it? Pretty easy, right? Comment down below if you want us to check your sentences!
Reference: Tatabahasa Dewan Ketiga, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka 2008
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