ke-
Ordinal Numbers with Ke-
In Malay, ordinal numbers (ranking) are formed by adding the prefix ke- to a cardinal number. The word for 'first' is the exception: pertama.
How It Works
The ke- prefix is the standard way to indicate rank, position, or sequence in Malay.
1. Formation Rules
- Standard Numbers: Attach ke- directly to the number word.
Example: tiga (three) → ketiga (third). - Vowel Stems: If the number starts with a vowel (like empat or enam), it is written as one word: keempat, keenam.
- Compound Numbers: For larger numbers, the prefix attaches to the very first word.
Example: ke-21 is written as kedua puluh satu. - Numerals: When using digits, use a hyphen: ke-2, ke-10, ke-100.
- Roman Numerals: In formal writing, Roman numerals (e.g., Abad XX) are written without the prefix but are still pronounced as ordinals (Abad kedua puluh).
2. The 'First' Exception
While satu means one, the word for 'first' is usually pertama. However, kesatu is used in legal and official documents to maintain consistency in headings, such as Bab Kesatu (Chapter One/First Chapter).
3. Asking for Rank: Keberapa
To ask about a position in a sequence, use keberapa (from berapa).
Example: Anak yang keberapa? (Which child [in birth order]?).
4. Using 'Yang'
In most sentences, you use yang before the ordinal number to mean 'the [ordinal] one'.
Example: anak yang kedua (the second child).
5. Collective vs. Ordinal
Be careful with placement. If ke- + number comes before a noun without yang, it often means 'all [number]'.
Example: Kedua orang itu means 'Both those people', whereas Orang yang kedua means 'The second person'.
Examples (5)
- Dia mendapat tempat pertama.
He got first place.
Word by Word: He get place first.
Notice that 'pertama' is used instead of 'kesatu' for the rank of first.
- Ini adalah kali yang kedua saya melawat Melaka.
This is the second time I have visited Malacca.
Word by Word: This is time which second I visit Malacca.
The word 'yang' is used here to specify 'the second' time.
- Sila buka muka surat yang kesepuluh.
Please open the tenth page.
Word by Word: Please open face page which tenth.
Ke- is attached to 'sepuluh' (ten) to make it 'tenth'.
- Pejabat saya terletak di tingkat ke-5.
My office is located on the 5th floor.
Word by Word: Office my located at floor 5th.
When using numerals (5), a hyphen is used with the prefix: ke-5.
- Bab keempat buku ini sangat menarik.
The fourth chapter of this book is very interesting.
Word by Word: Chapter fourth book this very interesting.
Keempat is formed from 'empat' (four). In this context, 'yang' is sometimes omitted in titles or headings.
Common Mistakes
Using 'kesatu' for 'first' in general conversation.
Ini kali kesatu saya makan durian.Ini kali pertama saya makan durian.'Pertama' is the standard word for 'first'. 'Kesatu' sounds unnatural to native speakers in this context.
Mixing up 'kedua' (both) with 'the second'.
Different MeaningKedua anak itu sedang tidur.Anak yang kedua itu sedang tidur.'Kedua anak itu sedang tidur' is a good sentence meaning 'Both children are sleeping'. To say 'The second child', use 'Anak yang kedua itu' and place the ordinal after the noun.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Understanding ordinal numbers requires a foundation in basic counting (cardinal numbers) and the knowledge that modifiers in Malay generally follow the noun they describe.
- Basic counting numbers
To form ordinal numbers using the 'ke-' prefix, the learner must first be familiar with the basic cardinal numbers which serve as the base for the transformation.
Level 1 - Adjectives follow nouns
Ordinal numbers typically follow the noun they modify in Malay, following the same word order pattern as adjectives.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- yang pertamaFirst with Yang Pertama
This is the specific form for 'the first', which is the only irregular ordinal number.
Level 1 - yangRelative Clauses with Yang
The word 'yang' is frequently used with ordinal numbers to function as 'the [ordinal] one'.
Level 2 - berapaHow Many or Much with Berapa
The interrogative 'berapa' can take the ke- prefix to ask about a specific position in a sequence.
Level 1 - ke-...-an (keadaan)Abstract States with Ke-...-an
Be careful not to confuse the ordinal prefix ke- with the circumfix ke-...-an used to form abstract nouns like 'kesatuan' (unity).
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice ke- in Bubblegum
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