In Malay, “di sini” means “here,” and “di sana” means “there.” These terms help to specify the location of something relative to the speaker.

Di Sini

Di sini is used to refer to a location that is close to the speaker. When you use “di sini,” you are indicating that something is in your immediate vicinity.

Di sini
Meaning: Here (close to the speaker)
Buku itu ada di sini.
The book is here.

Sini
Meaning: Here (a shorter form of “di sini”)
Datanglah sini.
Come here.

Tempat
Meaning: Place
Ini tempat saya bekerja.
This is the place where I work.

Kawasan
Meaning: Area
Kawasan ini sangat bersih.
This area is very clean.

Berada
Meaning: To be (in a place)
Saya berada di sini.
I am here.

Di Sana

On the other hand, di sana is used to refer to a location that is far from the speaker but can still be within the listener’s knowledge or sight.

Di sana
Meaning: There (far from the speaker)
Kereta itu parkir di sana.
The car is parked there.

Sana
Meaning: There (a shorter form of “di sana”)
Mari kita pergi sana.
Let’s go there.

Jauh
Meaning: Far
Rumah saya jauh dari sini.
My house is far from here.

Pemandangan
Meaning: View
Pemandangan di sana sangat indah.
The view there is very beautiful.

Lokasi
Meaning: Location
Lokasi restoran itu di sana.
The location of the restaurant is there.

Comparing Usage in Sentences

To understand the difference between “di sini” and “di sana” better, let’s compare their usage in different contexts.

Di sini
Di sini sangat panas hari ini.
It is very hot here today.

Di sana
Di sana ada sebuah taman.
There is a park there.

Di sini
Saya tinggal di sini.
I live here.

Di sana
Adik saya tinggal di sana.
My younger sibling lives there.

Using “Di Sini” and “Di Sana” in Questions

When asking questions, “di sini” and “di sana” help to clarify the location being referred to.

Di sini
Adakah kedai buku di sini?
Is there a bookstore here?

Di sana
Di mana tandas di sana?
Where is the toilet there?

Di sini
Bolehkah saya duduk di sini?
Can I sit here?

Di sana
Adakah kamu pernah pergi di sana?
Have you ever been there?

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Learners often confuse “di sini” and “di sana” due to their relatively similar uses. Here are some common mistakes and tips to avoid them.

Salah
Meaning: Wrong
Itu salah.
That is wrong.

Betul
Meaning: Correct
Itu betul.
That is correct.

Mistake: Using “di sini” when referring to a distant location.
Correct Usage: Use “di sana” for distant locations.
Salah: Saya akan ke rumah di sini. Betul: Saya akan ke rumah di sana.
Wrong: I will go to the house here. Correct: I will go to the house there.

Mistake: Using “di sana” when referring to an immediate location.
Correct Usage: Use “di sini” for immediate locations.
Salah: Saya duduk di sana. Betul: Saya duduk di sini.
Wrong: I sit there. Correct: I sit here.

Practice Exercises

To reinforce your understanding, try these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with either “di sini” or “di sana.”

1. Buku saya ______________. (My book is here.)
2. Dia sedang menunggu ______________. (He is waiting there.)
3. Adakah tempat duduk kosong ______________? (Is there an empty seat here?)
4. Mereka tinggal ______________. (They live there.)
5. Saya tidak melihat apa-apa ______________. (I don’t see anything here.)

Answers:
1. di sini
2. di sana
3. di sini
4. di sana
5. di sini

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between “di sini” and “di sana” is vital for effective communication in Malay. By paying close attention to the context and practicing regularly, you can master these essential terms and use them correctly in your conversations. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to navigate locations in Malay with confidence!