Language/Malay-individual-language/Grammar/Passive-Voice

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Malay (individual language) Grammar → Intermediate Structures → Passive Voice

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the concept of passive voice in the Malay language. The passive voice is an important grammatical structure that allows us to focus on the receiver of an action rather than the doer. Understanding how to form and use passive voice sentences will greatly enhance your proficiency in Malay. Throughout this lesson, we will provide clear explanations, numerous examples, and engaging practice exercises to help you grasp this concept effectively. So let's dive in and learn about the passive voice in Malay!

Formation of Passive Voice Sentences

To form a passive voice sentence in Malay, we generally use the word "oleh" (by) followed by the agent of the action (if known), and the verb in the past participle form. The structure of a passive voice sentence can be summarized as follows:

[subject] + [oleh] + [agent] + [verb in past participle form] + [object]

Let's take a look at some examples to understand this better:

Example 1

Malay (individual language)	Pronunciation	English
Rumah itu	Roo-mah ee-too	The house
(oleh) diperbaiki	(o-leh) dee-per-ba-ee-kee	(was) repaired
oleh tukang	o-leh too-kah-ng	by the worker
yang mahir.	yah-ng mah-heer	who is skilled.

Translation: The house was repaired by the skilled worker.

In this example, "rumah itu" (the house) is the subject of the sentence, "diperbaiki" (was repaired) is the past participle form of the verb "baiki" (repair), and "oleh tukang yang mahir" (by the skilled worker) is the agent of the action. Note that the word "oleh" is optional and can be omitted when the agent is not known or not important to the context.

Example 2

Malay (individual language)	Pronunciation	English
Surat itu	Soo-rat ee-too	The letter
(oleh) ditulis	(o-leh) dee-too-lees	(was) written
oleh penulis	o-leh pe-noo-lees	by the writer
terkenal.	ter-keh-nal	who is famous.

Translation: The letter was written by the famous writer.

In this example, "surat itu" (the letter) is the subject of the sentence, "ditulis" (was written) is the past participle form of the verb "tulis" (write), and "oleh penulis terkenal" (by the famous writer) is the agent of the action.

Example 3

Malay (individual language)	Pronunciation	English
Makanan itu	Mah-ka-nan ee-too	The food
(oleh) disiapkan	(o-leh) dee-see-ap-kan	(was) prepared
oleh ibu	o-leh ee-boo	by the mother
saya.	sah-yah	mine.

Translation: The food was prepared by my mother.

In this example, "makanan itu" (the food) is the subject of the sentence, "disiapkan" (was prepared) is the past participle form of the verb "siap" (prepare), and "oleh ibu saya" (by my mother) is the agent of the action.

The formation of passive voice sentences in Malay follows a consistent pattern. By understanding this structure, you will be able to construct passive voice sentences confidently.

Usage of Passive Voice

The passive voice is used in various situations in Malay. Let's explore some of its common usages:

1. Emphasizing the Receiver of the Action

One of the main purposes of using passive voice is to shift the focus onto the receiver of the action rather than the doer. This is particularly useful when the doer is unknown, unimportant, or when we want to emphasize the entity affected by the action. Here's an example:

Malay (individual language): "Buku itu telah diambil oleh dia." Pronunciation: "Boo-koo ee-too te-lah dee-am-bil o-leh dee-ya." English: "The book has been taken by him/her."

In this example, the receiver of the action (the book) is emphasized rather than the doer (him/her).

2. Reporting Events or News

Passive voice is commonly used in news reports or when recounting events. It helps to maintain a formal tone and allows the focus to be on the action or event itself rather than the individuals involved. Consider the following example:

Malay (individual language): "Pertandingan itu dimenangi oleh pasukan kami." Pronunciation: "Per-tan-ding-an ee-too dee-men-ang-ee o-leh pa-soo-kan ka-mee." English: "The match was won by our team."

In this example, the focus is on the match being won rather than the team that won it.

3. Describing Processes or Procedures

Passive voice is often used when describing processes or procedures to provide clear instructions or explanations. It helps to remove the emphasis on the doer and focuses on the action itself. Consider the following example:

Malay (individual language): "Makaroni ini perlu dimasak dalam air mendidih." Pronunciation: "Ma-ka-ro-nee ee-nee per-loo dee-ma-sak da-lam a-yer men-dee-dee." English: "This macaroni needs to be cooked in boiling water."

In this example, the focus is on the process of cooking the macaroni rather than the person who will be cooking it.

4. Avoiding Personal Responsibility

Passive voice can be used to avoid personal responsibility or to avoid directly attributing an action to a specific individual. This is often seen in formal or professional settings. Consider the following example:

Malay (individual language): "Kesalahan itu telah dibuat oleh seseorang." Pronunciation: "Ke-sa-la-han ee-too te-lah dee-boo-at o-leh se-se-o-rang." English: "The mistake has been made by someone."

In this example, the use of passive voice helps to avoid specifying the person responsible for the mistake.

It is important to note that while passive voice can be useful in certain situations, it should not be overused. Active voice is generally preferred in most cases as it is more direct and concise. However, understanding passive voice and its appropriate usage will greatly enhance your language skills.

Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Try completing the following exercises to reinforce your understanding of passive voice in Malay. Solutions and explanations will be provided after each exercise.

Exercise 1

Rewrite the following sentences in passive voice:

1. Malay (individual language): "Dia membeli hadiah itu."

  Pronunciation: "Dee-a mem-be-lee ha-dyah ee-too."
  English: "He/she bought the gift."
  

2. Malay (individual language): "Kucing itu mencuri ikan."

  Pronunciation: "Koo-ching ee-too men-choo-ree ee-kan."
  English: "The cat stole the fish."
  

3. Malay (individual language): "Ibu akan memasak makanan sedap."

  Pronunciation: "Ee-boo aa-kan ma-sak ma-ka-nan se-dap."
  English: "Mother will cook delicious food."
  

Exercise 2

Complete the following sentences using passive voice:

1. Malay (individual language): "Buku itu _______________ oleh penulis terkenal."

  Pronunciation: "Boo-koo ee-too _______________ o-leh pe-noo-lees ter-keh-nal."
  English: "The book _______________ by the famous writer."
  

2. Malay (individual language): "Kerja-kerja itu _______________ oleh pekerja mahir."

  Pronunciation: "Ker-ja-ker-ja ee-too _______________ o-leh pe-ker-ja ma-heer."
  English: "The tasks _______________ by the skilled workers."
  

3. Malay (individual language): "Pertandingan ini _______________ oleh pasukan lawan."

  Pronunciation: "Per-tan-ding-an ee-nee _______________ o-leh pa-soo-kan la-wan."
  English: "This match _______________ by the opposing team."

Solutions

Exercise 1

1. Malay (individual language): "Hadiah itu dibeli oleh dia."

  Pronunciation: "Ha-dyah ee-too dee-be-lee o-leh dee-a."
  English: "The gift was bought by him/her."
  

2. Malay (individual language): "Ikan itu dicuri oleh kucing."

  Pronunciation: "Ee-kan ee-too dee-choo-ree o-leh koo-ching."
  English: "The fish was stolen by the cat."
  

3. Malay (individual language): "Makanan sedap akan dimasak oleh ibu."

  Pronunciation: "Ma-ka-nan se-dap aa-kan dee-ma-sak o-leh ee-boo."
  English: "Delicious food will be cooked by mother."

Exercise 2

1. Malay (individual language): "Buku itu ditulis oleh penulis terkenal."

  Pronunciation: "Boo-koo ee-too dee-too-lees o-leh pe-noo-lees ter-keh-nal."
  English: "The book was written by the famous writer."
  

2. Malay (individual language): "Kerja-kerja itu dilakukan oleh pekerja mahir."

  Pronunciation: "Ker-ja-ker-ja ee-too dee-la-ko-kan o-leh pe-ker-ja ma-heer."
  English: "The tasks were carried out by the skilled workers."
  

3. Malay (individual language): "Pertandingan ini disertai oleh pasukan lawan."

  Pronunciation: "Per-tan-ding-an ee-nee dee-ser-tai o-leh pa-soo-kan la-wan."
  English: "This match is accompanied by the opposing team."

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now learned about the passive voice in Malay. By understanding how to form and use passive voice sentences, you can effectively communicate and express ideas in different contexts. Remember to use passive voice appropriately and be mindful of the emphasis it places on the receiver of the action. Keep practicing and incorporating passive voice into your language skills to become a more proficient Malay speaker. Selamat maju jaya (Good luck) on your language learning journey!

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

• Relative Clauses
• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Pronouns
• A1 Exam Overview
• Questions and Interrogatives
• Adjectives
• Exam Strategies
• Nouns
• Practice Exams

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