'-Nya!' Discover a quick way to emphasize an adjective in Malay

In another post, we've learnt how to use adverbs of degree. Now, there's actually a more succinct way to emphasize what you want to describe by using 'kata penekan' (emphasis word).

How to use -nya

So, how do we use this suffix?

First, look out of your window. What does the sky look like?

Blue? Vast? Bright?

In English, you might say, "How vast!" To say exactly this in Malay, just exclaim:

"Luasnya!"

Personally, I like how blue the sky is. So, I would say:

"How blue!"

"Birunya!"

"How bright!"

"Cerahnya!"

Get the idea now?

So, if you stick "-nya" to the back of an adjective, it emphasizes the meaning of the adjective.

In longer sentences, the usage would be as follows:

Indahnya pemandangan.

What a beautiful view.

Tingginya awak!

You're so tall!

Panasnya cuaca hari ini.

The weather today is so hot.

Why don't you give it a try? Here is a list of adjectives you can play around with!

How was it? Pretty easy, right? Comment down below if you want us to check your sentences!

Reference: Tatabahasa Dewan Ketiga, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka 2008