Knowing how to tell the time is a fundamental skill for scheduling meetings, making appointments, and organizing your day. The system in Malay is logical and easy to learn.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
The key word for telling time is `pukul`, which literally means "to strike," as in a clock striking the hour.
| Malay Phrase | English |
|---|---|
| Pukul berapa sekarang? | What time is it now? |
| Pukul satu. | One o'clock. |
| Pukul lima. | Five o'clock. |
For minutes past the hour, you use the word `lebih` (more/past). For common fractions, you can use `suku` and `setengah`.
| Time | Malay Phrase | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| 2:10 | Pukul dua lebih sepuluh minit. | O'clock two past ten minutes. |
| 3:15 | Pukul tiga suku. | O'clock three quarter. |
| 4:30 | Pukul empat setengah. | O'clock four half. |
| 7:45 | Pukul tujuh empat puluh lima minit. | O'clock seven forty-five minutes. |
Malay does not use AM or PM. Instead, you add a word for the part of the day after the time.
| Time | Malay Phrase | English |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Pukul lapan pagi | Eight in the morning. |
| 2:00 PM | Pukul dua petang | Two in the afternoon. |
| 9:00 PM | Pukul sembilan malam | Nine at night. |
A common point of confusion for English speakers comes from "half past". In English, "half past two" means 2:30. In German (`halb drei`), it means 2:30, but literally translates to "half to three".
Fortunately, Malay is like English! `Setengah` means "half".
It's a simple, direct translation of the concept.
Master telling time with these dedicated flashcards.
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Write down the time in digital format (e.g., 2:30) for the following phrases.
Translate the following times into full Malay phrases.
While not a universal truth, you might encounter the humorous cultural concept of `janji Melayu` ("Malay promise") or `jam getah` ("rubber time"). This refers to a relaxed and flexible attitude towards punctuality. An appointment at `pukul tiga` (3 o'clock) might mean the person arrives at 3:15 or 3:30 without any stress. For official business, government appointments, or with non-Malay friends, punctuality is generally expected. But in casual social settings, don't be surprised if things run on "rubber time"!
Tahniah! You have completed Level 2: Pelayar (Navigator)!
You have learned a huge amount, from tense and negation to adjectives, possession, and telling time. You can now navigate many everyday situations with confidence.
It's time to become a true communicator. In Level 3, we will dive into the heart of Malay grammar: Imbuhan (Affixes). The next chapter will introduce you to this powerful system that allows you to create hundreds of new words from a single root word.