berapa

How Many or Much with Berapa

Level 1

Berapa is the universal Malay word for both 'how many' and 'how much'. It is used to ask for any numerical answer, from the number of people to the price of an item.

How It Works

1. Usage with Classifiers
When asking about countable objects or people, berapa is usually followed by a classifier (penjodoh bilangan).

  • Berapa orang pelajar? (How many students?)
  • Berapa buah rumah? (How many houses?)

2. Usage with Measurements and Time
For units of time, age, or physical measurements, berapa is placed directly before the noun. However, if you are asking about the objects being measured, you still need a classifier.

  • Pukul berapa? (What time?)
  • Berapa kilo? (How many kilos?)
  • Berapa biji epal dalam satu kilo? (How many apples in one kilo?)

3. Formal vs. Informal Register
In formal Malay, use the -kah suffix. It can attach to the question word or the classifier. In daily conversation, berapa is placed where the answer would go.

  • Formal: Berapakah harga ini? or Berapa orangkah yang hadir?
  • Informal: Harga ini berapa?

4. The 'Not Very' Construction
A common daily expression is tidak berapa (or tak berapa), which means 'not very' or 'not so' when followed by an adjective.

  • Saya tidak berapa sihat. (I am not very well.)

5. Distinguishing from Similar Words
Do not confuse berapa (quantity) with beberapa (several) or betapa (exclamatory 'how').

  • Betapa cantiknya! (How beautiful!)

Examples (5)

  1. Berapakah harga sepasang kasut ini?

    How much is the price of this pair of shoes?

    Word by Word: How much-kah price a-pair shoes this?

    A formal question using the -kah suffix and placing the interrogative at the beginning.

  2. Umur awak berapa?

    How old are you?

    Word by Word: Age you how much?

    A common casual way to ask for age by placing 'berapa' at the end.

  3. Berapa ekor kucing yang kamu bela?

    How many cats do you keep?

    Word by Word: How many [tail classifier] cats that you keep?

    Uses the animal classifier 'ekor' (tail) to ask for a countable quantity of animals.

  4. Pukul berapa sekarang?

    What time is it now?

    Word by Word: Strike/Hour how many now?

    Standard way to ask for the time using 'pukul' (hour/strike).

  5. Berapa orang tetamu akan datang?

    How many guests will come?

    Word by Word: How many [people classifier] guests will come?

    Uses the human classifier 'orang' to ask about the number of people.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'berapa' (quantity) with 'betapa' (exclamation).

    Berapa cantiknya bunga ini!
    Betapa cantiknya bunga ini!

    Use 'berapa' to ask for a number or amount. Use 'betapa' to express an exclamation about a quality (e.g., 'How beautiful!').

  • Confusing 'berapa' (how many) with 'beberapa' (several).

    Saya ada berapa buah buku.
    Saya ada beberapa buah buku.

    'Berapa' is for asking questions. To make a statement meaning 'some' or 'several', use beberapa.

  • Using 'berapa' to ask 'how much' for quality or degree.

    Berapa awak suka dia?
    Sejauh mana awak suka dia?

    'Berapa' is only for numerical values. To ask 'to what extent' or 'how much' regarding feelings or degree, use 'sejauh mana' or 'sangat'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

berapaLevel 1How Many or Much with Berapa

Learn This First

To use 'berapa' effectively, you need to understand how numbers work in Malay since it is the primary tool for asking about quantities, prices, and measurements. Additionally, knowing how Malay forms simple sentences without a copula (like 'is' or 'are') helps in structuring questions like 'Harga ini berapa?' (How much is this price?).

Words in This Pattern

berapa