Language/Malay-individual-language/Grammar/Conditional-Sentences

◀️ Passive Voice — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Causative Verbs ▶️

Malay (individual language) Grammar → Intermediate Structures → Conditional Sentences

As a Malay language teacher of 20 years, I am excited to discuss an essential part of Malay grammar: conditional sentences. This lesson will cover different types, formation, and usage of Malay conditional sentences to help students reach an intermediate level of proficiency.

After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Practice Exams & Adjectives and Adverbs.

Types of Conditional Sentences

Malay conditional sentences come in three types: possible, impossible, and hypothetical. Possible conditional sentences describe an event that may happen in the present or future if a condition is fulfilled. For example: "Jika saya membeli buku itu, saya akan belajar bahasa Melayu" (If I buy that book, I will learn Malay). Impossible conditional sentences describe an event that cannot happen due to certain circumstances. For example: "Kalau awak tak datang awal, awak akan ketinggalan kapal terbang" (If you do not come early, you will miss the flight). Hypothetical conditional sentences describe an imagined situation that is not real or not proven. For example: "Kalau awak mampu beli kereta itu, awak boleh pergi melancong ke seluruh negara" (If you can afford to buy that car, you can travel throughout the country).

Formation of Conditional Sentences

In Malay, conditional sentences have two clauses: the condition clause and the main clause. The condition clause starts with "kalau" (if) or "jika" (if) and the main clause is introduced with "akan" (will) or "boleh" (can).

Possible: If [condition], [result] Impossible: If [condition], [result] (but it is impossible) Hypothetical: If [condition], [result] (but it may not be true)

Example 1 - Possible:

Malay (individual language)	Pronunciation	English
Kalau saya belajar dengan tekun	kah-lau sa-ya bel-a-jar de-ngan te-kun	If I study diligently	Saya akan lulus ujian	sa-ya a-kan lu-lus u-jian	I will pass the exam

Example 2 - Impossible:

Malay (individual language)	Pronunciation	English
Kalau saya mempunyai sayap	kah-lau sa-ya mem-pu-nya-i sa-yap	If I had wings	Saya boleh terbang ke langit	sa-ya bo-leh ter-bang ke lan-git	I could fly to the sky

Example 3 - Hypothetical:

Malay (individual language)	Pronunciation	English
Kalau anda kaya-raya sekali	kah-lau an-da ka-ya-ra-ya se-ka-li	If you are very rich	Anda boleh membeli negara	an-da bo-leh mem-be-li ne-ga-ra	You could buy a country

Usage of Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences are commonly used in Malay to express possibilities, consequences, and hypothetical situations. Possible conditional sentences are often used for making plans or predictions, while impossible conditional sentences are used to express regret or hypothetical situations. Hypothetical conditional sentences are used to express imagined or possible situations. It's essential to master their usage to convey the intended meaning effectively.

For example:

• Kalau awak tak mahu pergi ke acara ini, jangan turut campur tangan dalam urusan ini (If you do not want to go to this event, do not interfere with this matter).
• Jika tidak hujan, kami akan pergi berkelah di taman itu hari ini (If it does not rain, we will go for a picnic at the park today).
• Kalau saya mempunyai wang, saya mahu membuka restoran sendiri (If I have money, I want to open my restaurant).

It's a good idea to practice various examples of conditional sentences for each type to improve your proficiency in Malay. Understanding how to distinguish between possible, impossible, and hypothetical conditional sentences is essential to convey your message accurately.

I hope this lesson has been informative and has helped you understand Malay conditional sentences better. Stay tuned for more language learning tips and tricks to master the Malay language.

Table of Contents - Malay (individual language) Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Nouns and Pronouns
• Verbs and Tenses
• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Prepositions and Conjunctions
• Questions and Interrogatives

  ---

Basic Vocabulary

• Food and Drinks
• Numbers and Counting
• Colors and Shapes
• Everyday Objects
• Family and Relationships
• Travel and Transportation
• Jobs and Professions

  ---

Malay Culture and Tradition

• Religion and Festivals
• Malay Customs and Traditions
• Art and Music
• Malay Cuisine

  ---

Intermediate Structures

• Relative Clauses
• Passive Voice
• Conditional Sentences
• Causative Verbs

  ---

Advanced Vocabulary

• Politics and Government
• Science and Technology
• Literature and Poetry
• Business and Finance

  ---

Modern Malaysia

• Malay Society Today
• Pop Culture and Entertainment

  ---

A1 Exam Preparation

• A1 Exam Overview
• Exam Strategies
• Practice Exams

Other Lessons

• Nouns
• Causative Verbs
• Future Tense
• Pronouns
• A1 Exam Overview
• Exam Strategies
• Plurals
• How to Use Be
• Questions
• Questions and Interrogatives

◀️ Passive Voice — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Causative Verbs ▶️