Verbs: Aspects

01

Completed Actions: Sudah and Telah

The word sudah is the most common way to indicate that an action is finished. It corresponds to the English "already" or the perfect tense "have/has done." It emphasizes that the event is in the past relative to the moment of speaking.

• Saya sudah makan nasi.

  I have already eaten rice.

• Kerja itu sudah siap.

  That work is already finished.

In formal writing or news broadcasts, you will often see telah. It functions exactly like sudah but carries a more official tone.

• Pihak polis telah menangkap pencuri itu.

  The police have caught the thief.

02

Immediate Past: Baru

If an action happened very recently—just moments ago—use the marker baru. While baru also means "new" as an adjective, when placed before a verb, it translates to "just."

• Dia baru keluar.

  He just went out.

• Kami baru sampai di sini.

  We just arrived here.

03

Continuous Actions: Sedang and Masih

To describe an action that is currently happening, use sedang. This is the equivalent of the English "-ing" form (progressive aspect). It emphasizes that the action is in progress right now.

• Mereka sedang bermain bola.

  They are playing ball.

• Adik sedang tidur di bilik.

  Younger sibling is sleeping in the room.

If you want to emphasize that an action is continuing from the past and has not stopped yet, use masih (still).

• Saya masih belajar.

  I am still studying.

• Kedai itu masih buka.

  That shop is still open.

04

Future Actions: Akan

To talk about the future, use akan. This word covers all future intentions, predictions, or scheduled events, translating to "will," "shall," or "going to."

• Hujan akan turun nanti.

  Rain will fall later.

• Saya akan telefon awak esok.

  I will call you tomorrow.

05

Past Experience: Pernah

Malay distinguishes between a specific completed action (sudah) and general life experience. Use pernah to say you "have ever" done something at some point in your life, without focusing on a specific time.

• Saya pernah pergi ke Jepun.

  I have been to Japan (before).

• Awak pernah nampak hantu?

  Have you ever seen a ghost?

To say you have never done something, you combine the negative tidak with pernah.

• Dia tidak pernah merokok.

  He has never smoked.

06

Negative Completion: Belum

While sudah means "already," its negative counterpart is not formed with standard "no" words. Instead, Malay uses a specific word: belum (not yet). Using belum implies that the action has not happened yet, but likely will in the future.

• Bas belum sampai.

  The bus has not arrived yet.

• Saya belum lapar.

  I am not hungry yet.