sangat + Adjective

High Degree with Sangat

Level 1

sangat + adjective = very [adjective]

How It Works

In Malay, to intensify a quality, you simply place the word sangat before the adjective. Unlike English, where 'very' always precedes the adjective, Malay is flexible, but the sangat + adjective structure is the standard, neutral form for both spoken and written communication.

Key points to remember:

  • Placement: While usually placed before the adjective (e.g., sangat besar), it can also be placed after the adjective in casual speech (e.g., besar sangat). When placed after, it often carries a nuance of 'too' or 'excessively.'
  • Double Intensifiers: For extreme emphasis, you can use the pattern sangat + adjective + sekali (e.g., sangat cantik sekali). This is a standard feature of Malay grammar and is not considered redundant.
  • Synonyms: The words amat and sungguh are synonyms of sangat. They are also 'Free Intensifiers' and can be used interchangeably in the same positions (before or after the adjective).
  • No Inflection: Malay adjectives and intensifiers do not change based on the subject's gender, number, or tense.
  • Usage with Verbs: While primarily for adjectives, it can modify 'emotive' verbs that describe feelings, such as sangat menghargai (greatly appreciate).

Examples (5)

  1. Rumah itu sangat besar.

    That house is very big.

    Word by Word: House that very big.

    A standard sentence using 'sangat' before the adjective 'besar' (big).

  2. Makanan ini sangat pedas.

    This food is very spicy.

    Word by Word: Food this very spicy.

    Here, 'sangat' intensifies the adjective 'pedas' (spicy).

  3. Dia seorang pelajar yang sangat pandai.

    He/She is a very clever student.

    Word by Word: He/She one-person student who very clever.

    In this phrase, 'sangat' is used within a relative clause starting with yang.

  4. Saya sangat gembira hari ini.

    I am very happy today.

    Word by Word: I very happy day this.

    Using 'sangat' to describe a personal feeling or state.

  5. Kereta itu mahal sangat.

    That car is too expensive.

    Word by Word: Car that expensive very.

    Placing 'sangat' after the adjective is common in conversation and often implies the quality is 'too much' or 'excessive'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'sangat' with a noun directly.

    Dia sangat guru.
    Dia seorang guru yang sangat baik.

    In Malay, you cannot intensify a noun. You must intensify the adjective that describes the noun (e.g., 'a very good teacher').

How It Connects

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sangat + AdjectiveLevel 1High Degree with Sangat

Learn This First

To use 'sangat' (very) correctly, a learner needs to understand the basic placement and function of adjectives in Malay, specifically that they follow the noun they modify and can act as a full predicate without needing a verb like 'to be'.

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