daripada

Comparison Standard with Daripada

Level 2

In Malay, daripada is the standard word for 'than' in comparisons. It follows words like lebih (more) or kurang (less) to compare two things.

How It Works

The preposition daripada is a versatile word that learners should become proficient in using for comparisons and specific sources.

1. Comparative Structures: To compare two things, use the pattern lebih + Adjective + daripada (more than) or kurang + Adjective + daripada (less than).

2. Expressing Preference: In formal Malay, when expressing a preference, daripada is typically paired with lebih suka. For example: Saya lebih suka epal daripada oren (I like apples more than oranges). It is also used with lebih baik to indicate something is better than an alternative.

3. Origin and Materials: Beyond comparison, daripada indicates what something is made of (e.g., meja daripada kayu - a table made of wood) or a source that is human or abstract (e.g., surat daripada abang - a letter from brother). This distinguishes it from dari, which is strictly for physical places and time.

4. Choice and Contrast: It can function as 'rather than' when choosing between two actions or items. For example: Daripada tidur, lebih baik kita belajar (Rather than sleeping, it is better that we study).

5. Formal vs. Informal: While casual speech often uses dari for everything, Standard Malay requires daripada for all comparisons and non-spatial sources to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Examples (5)

  1. Rumah saya lebih besar daripada rumah Ali.

    My house is bigger than Ali's house.

    Word by Word: House I more big than house Ali.

    This shows the standard comparative structure using 'lebih' (more) and 'daripada' (than).

  2. Saya lebih suka minum teh daripada kopi.

    I prefer drinking tea to coffee.

    Word by Word: I more like drink tea than coffee.

    Here, 'daripada' is used to show preference between two choices.

  3. Markah ujian ini kurang memuaskan daripada yang lepas.

    This test score is less satisfying than the previous one.

    Word by Word: Mark test this less satisfying than that past.

    This demonstrates a comparison of inferiority using 'kurang' (less).

  4. Gunung Kinabalu lebih tinggi daripada Gunung Ledang.

    Mount Kinabalu is taller than Mount Ledang.

    Word by Word: Mountain Kinabalu more tall than Mountain Ledang.

    A comparison between two geographical features.

  5. Dia lebih rajin daripada abangnya.

    He is more hardworking than his older brother.

    Word by Word: He more hardworking than older-brother-his.

    A comparison between two people using a personality trait.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'dari' instead of 'daripada' in formal comparisons.

    Kereta ini lebih laju dari kereta itu.
    Kereta ini lebih laju daripada kereta itu.

    'Dari' is for places and time. For comparisons, 'daripada' is the grammatically correct choice in Standard Malay.

  • Using 'daripada' for physical locations.

    Saya datang daripada Kuala Lumpur.
    Saya datang dari Kuala Lumpur.

    Physical origin or starting points must use 'dari', not 'daripada'.

  • Omitting 'lebih' or 'kurang' before the adjective.

    Dia tinggi daripada saya.
    Dia lebih tinggi daripada saya.

    'Daripada' alone does not carry the comparative sense in careful writing, so 'lebih' (more) or 'kurang' (less) is normally included before the adjective.

How It Connects

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daripadaLevel 2Comparison Standard with Daripada

Learn This First

To understand how 'daripada' functions in comparisons, you first need to be comfortable with basic Malay sentence structure where adjectives act as predicates. You should also be familiar with the comparative markers 'lebih' (more) or 'kurang' (less), as 'daripada' serves as the 'than' that connects these markers to the object being compared.

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daripada