Basic Vocabulary for Telling Time in Malay

Before diving into sentence structures and expressions, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the core vocabulary related to telling time in Malay. This foundation will help you understand and form time expressions with ease.

Numbers 1 to 12 in Malay

Numbers are crucial for telling time. Here are the numbers from 1 to 12, as they are primarily used when indicating hours:

• 1 – satu
• 2 – dua
• 3 – tiga
• 4 – empat
• 5 – lima
• 6 – enam
• 7 – tujuh
• 8 – lapan
• 9 – sembilan
• 10 – sepuluh
• 11 – sebelas
• 12 – dua belas

Key Time-Related Words

Understanding the following words is vital when telling time:

• Jam – hour or o’clock
• Minit – minute
• Saat – second
• Pagi – morning (typically 6 AM to 11 AM)
• Tengah hari – noon (12 PM)
• Petang – afternoon/evening (typically 1 PM to 6 PM)
• Malam – night (typically 7 PM onwards)
• Tengah malam – midnight
• Lebih – past (used to indicate minutes after the hour)
• Kurang – to or before (used to indicate minutes before the hour)

How to Express O’Clock Times in Malay

The simplest way to state the time is by expressing the hour with “jam” (hour/o’clock). The word “jam” often precedes the number indicating the hour.

Basic Structure

The format is generally:

Jam + [number]

For example:

• Jam satu – One o’clock
• Jam dua – Two o’clock
• Jam tiga – Three o’clock

Examples in Sentences

• Jam berapa sekarang? – What time is it now?
• Sekarang jam lima. – It is five o’clock now.

Note that in casual speech, “jam” can sometimes be omitted if the context is clear.

Expressing Minutes Past the Hour

When telling time beyond the exact hour, Malay uses the word “lebih” (past) to indicate minutes after the hour.

Structure

Jam + [hour] + lebih + [minutes]

For example:

• Jam dua lebih sepuluh – 2:10
• Jam empat lebih lima belas – 4:15
• Jam sembilan lebih dua puluh – 9:20

Colloquial Expressions

Sometimes, especially in informal contexts, the numbers can be shortened or merged, but beginners should stick to the formal structure for clarity.

Expressing Minutes To the Hour

To indicate minutes before the upcoming hour, Malay uses the word “kurang” (less/to).

Structure

Jam + [next hour] + kurang + [minutes]

For example:

• Jam tiga kurang sepuluh – 2:50 (ten minutes to three)
• Jam enam kurang lima – 5:55 (five minutes to six)

Explanation

– The hour mentioned is the upcoming hour.
– The minutes are how many minutes are left before that hour.

Using “Setengah” for Half Past

In Malay, “setengah” means “half” and is commonly used to express 30 minutes past the hour.

Structure

Jam + [next hour] + setengah

For example:

• Jam dua setengah – 1:30
• Jam lima setengah – 4:30

Important Note

Unlike in English where “half past one” refers to the hour just passed, in Malay, the hour after “setengah” is the upcoming hour. So, “jam dua setengah” means half past one, not half past two.

Expressing Quarters: “Suku” and “Seperempat”

Quarters are important divisions of time and have special terms in Malay.

• Suku – quarter (often used colloquially)
• Seperempat – a quarter (more formal)

Examples

• Jam tiga suku – 2:45 (quarter to three)
• Jam empat suku – 3:45 (quarter to four)
• Jam satu suku – 12:15 (quarter past twelve)
• Jam dua seperempat – 2:15 (quarter past two)

Expressing Seconds in Malay

While not commonly used in daily conversation, knowing how to express seconds can be useful.

Structure

[number] + saat

For example:

• Lima saat – five seconds
• Tiga puluh saat – thirty seconds

You can combine this with hours and minutes if needed, but this is mostly used in formal or technical contexts.

Adding Time of Day to Specify AM or PM

Unlike the 12-hour clock system in English that uses “AM” and “PM,” Malay uses words to specify the time of day.

• Pagi (morning): 6 AM to 11 AM
• Tengah hari (noon): 12 PM
• Petang (afternoon/evening): 1 PM to 6 PM
• Malam (night): 7 PM to 11 PM
• Tengah malam (midnight): 12 AM

Examples

• Jam tujuh pagi – 7 AM
• Jam dua petang – 2 PM
• Jam sebelas malam – 11 PM

Formal vs. Informal Ways of Telling Time in Malay

Understanding the context is crucial when telling time, as Malay has both formal and informal ways to express it.

Formal Usage

– Used in official contexts, broadcasts, and written communication.
– Full sentence structures like “Jam lima lebih lima belas minit” (5:15) are common.
– “Seperempat,” “setengah,” and “kurang” are preferred.

Informal Usage

– Common in casual conversations.
– Shortened forms and colloquial terms like “suku” for quarter are frequent.
– Sometimes numbers are used alone with context.

Practical Tips for Learning to Tell Time in Malay

Mastering telling time in Malay requires practice and exposure. Here are some effective tips:

• Use language apps like Talkpal: These platforms provide interactive practice with native speakers, enhancing pronunciation and comprehension.
• Practice with real-life scenarios: Set reminders or alarms in Malay to familiarize yourself with the vocabulary.
• Watch Malay media: Listening to Malay TV shows, news, or radio helps you hear time expressions in context.
• Make flashcards: Create flashcards for numbers and time phrases to reinforce memory.
• Speak regularly: Try to use Malay time expressions when speaking with friends or language partners.

Common Questions About Telling Time in Malay

How do you ask “What time is it?” in Malay?

You say: Jam berapa sekarang?

How do you say “It’s noon”?

You say: Sekarang tengah hari.

Is the 24-hour clock used in Malay?

While the 12-hour clock with time of day indicators (pagi, petang, malam) is most common, the 24-hour format is used in official contexts like transportation schedules.

Can I omit “jam” when telling time?

Yes, in casual conversations, “jam” can be omitted if the time is clear from context.

Conclusion

Telling time in Malay is a practical and straightforward skill that opens doors to better communication and cultural understanding. From mastering basic numbers and key vocabulary to understanding how to express minutes past or before the hour, the Malay language offers unique structures that are easy to learn with consistent practice. Using tools like Talkpal can accelerate your learning by providing immersive and interactive language experiences. Whether you are a beginner or looking to polish your Malay skills, becoming confident in telling time is an essential step in your language journey. Remember, practice makes perfect, so start incorporating these expressions into your daily routine today!