Saying "no" or "not" is essential. In English, we mostly use the word "not". Malay is more specific and has two main words for negation: `tidak` and `bukan`. Understanding the difference is a major step toward fluency.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
The rule is simple and very consistent. The word you choose depends on the type of word you are negating.
Use `tidak` (tee-dahk) when you want to say that an action is **not** happening or a description is **not** true. It comes before the verb or adjective.
Use `bukan` (boo-kahn) when you want to say that something is **not** a particular noun (person, place, thing, or idea). It comes before the noun.
This is the most important concept in this chapter. Memorize this rule!
| Use this word... | ...to negate these word types. |
|---|---|
| Tidak | Verbs (Actions) & Adjectives (Descriptions) |
| Bukan | Nouns (People, Places, Things) |
Example Comparison:
Dia tidak gembira. (He is not happy.) — `gembira` (happy) is an adjective, so use `tidak`.
Dia bukan kawan saya. (He is not my friend.) — `kawan` (friend) is a noun, so use `bukan`.
Master the difference between `tidak` and `bukan` with these flashcards.
Import Chapter 12 Flashcards(Requires login to import/study)
Fill in the blanks with the correct word.
Translate the following negative sentences.
While `tidak` is a direct "no", the word `belum` (not yet) is often used as a softer, more polite way to give a negative answer, especially in response to a `sudah` question. It implies that the action might happen later.
A conversation clarifying some details.
Ali: Wah, kereta baru! Ini kereta awak? (wah, kuh-ray-tah bah-roo! ee-nee kuh-ray-tah ah-wahk?)
Ahmad: Eh, bukan. Ini bukan kereta saya. Kereta saya tidak besar. (eh, boo-kahn. ee-nee boo-kahn kuh-ray-tah sah-yah. kuh-ray-tah sah-yah tee-dahk buh-sar.)
Ali: Oh, begitu. Jadi, awak tidak beli kereta baru? (oh, buh-gee-too. jah-dee, ah-wahk tee-dahk buh-lee kuh-ray-tah bah-roo?)
Ahmad: Belum. Saya akan beli bulan depan. (buh-lohm. sah-yah ah-kahn buh-lee boo-lahn duh-pahn.)
Ali: Wow, a new car! Is this your car?
Ahmad: Eh, no. This is not my car. My car is not big.
Ali: Oh, I see. So, you did not buy a new car?
Ahmad: Not yet. I will buy one next month.
Cemerlang! (Brilliant!) You can now correctly form negative sentences. You know how to say what something *is* and what it *is not*. In the next chapter, we'll expand on descriptions by learning about Kata Sifat dan Kedudukannya (Adjectives & Placement), where you'll learn more descriptive words and how to place them in a sentence.