Latest / Learn Malay with Fexingo / Malay Question Words - Apa and Siapa
Transcript
- Lucas: Welcome back to Learn Malay with Fexingo! I'm Lucas, and with me is Luna. Luna: Hey everyone! Ready for another tiny lesson? Last time we talked about likes and dislikes. That was fun. Lucas: It was. But now, how do we ask what something is? Or who someone is? We need question words. Luna: Oh, like 'what' and 'who'? I've been wondering about those. Lucas: Exactly. In Malay, 'what' is 'Apa'. And 'who' is 'Siapa'. Let's start with 'Apa'. Luna: Apa. Okay. Lucas: Great. Now, to ask 'What is this?' we say 'Ini apa?' Listen: Ini apa? Luna: Ini apa? Lucas: Perfect. 'Ini' means 'this'. So 'Ini apa?' is 'What is this?' Let's try it together. Point at something — like a book. Luna: Ini apa? Lucas: Right. And if someone asks you, you can answer 'Ini buku' — this is a book. But today we focus on the question. Luna: Got it. So what about 'that'? 'Itu'? Lucas: Yes! 'Itu apa?' — What is that? Say it, Luna. Luna: Itu apa? Lucas: You've got it. Let's practice a quick back and forth. I'll point to something and ask you. Luna: Okay, go ahead. Lucas: Points to water bottle. Ini apa? Luna: Uh, Ini air? Or maybe I should just answer the question? I'm not sure. Lucas: You're fine! For now, just practise the question. But yes, you could say 'Ini air'. We'll cover answers another time. For now, let's keep asking. Luna: So it's about asking, not answering. Okay, I think I've got 'Ini apa?' and 'Itu apa?' down. Lucas: Awesome. You know, if these lessons are helping you make real progress with Malay, we'd love your support. It's what keeps this show ad-free. If today was worth a coffee to you, you can find us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. No pressure, just a little way to say thanks. Luna: Yeah, every bit helps us keep making these episodes. And now, let's move on to 'Siapa' — who. Lucas: Right! 'Siapa' means 'who'. To ask 'Who is he/she?' we say 'Dia siapa?' Listen: Dia siapa? Luna: Dia siapa? That sounds like 'he who' or something? Lucas: Exactly. Word order is different from English. But it's simple. 'Dia' means he/she. 'Siapa' means who. So 'Dia siapa?' is 'Who is he/she?' Luna: Dia siapa? Got it. Lucas: Good. Now, if you want to ask 'Who is that?' — pointing at someone far — we say 'Siapa itu?' Luna: Siapa itu? So 'itu' again for 'that'. Lucas: Yes. Let's try them both. Imagine you see a friend across the street. Luna: Siapa itu? Lucas: And someone asks you about your sister. Luna: Dia siapa? Uh, maybe 'Dia kakak saya' — she's my sister. But we're only asking today. Lucas: Right. Just the questions. Let's say them all together: Ini apa? Itu apa? Dia siapa? Siapa itu? Luna: Ini apa? Itu apa? Dia siapa? Siapa itu? Lucas: Excellent! Now, a tiny scene. I'll pretend I'm at a market stall. I point at a fruit. Luna: Ini apa? Lucas: The seller says 'Ini mangga'. Then I point at a man nearby. Luna: Siapa itu? Lucas: The seller says 'Dia penjual' — he's the seller. See how natural it feels? Luna: Yeah, I can already imagine using these. Lucas: Let's do one more round. Repeat after me: Ini apa? Luna: Ini apa? Lucas: Itu apa? Luna: Itu apa? Lucas: Dia siapa? Luna: Dia siapa? Lucas: Siapa itu? Luna: Siapa itu? Lucas: You're ready. These four phrases will let you ask about almost anything or anyone. Luna: I'll practice them on my friends. Thanks, Lucas! Lucas: You're welcome. Keep practicing, and we'll be back soon with more Malay. Until then, selamat tinggal! Luna: Selamat tinggal! And remember, Fexingo is here for you.