Noun + itu

That After the Noun

Level 1

In Malay, itu follows a noun to point to something far away ('that') or to indicate a specific item already mentioned ('the').

How It Works

The word itu is one of the most versatile tools in Malay grammar. Here is how to use it correctly:

  • Position: It always follows the noun. If the noun has adjectives, itu goes after the adjectives. For example: Buku itu (That book) or Buku merah itu (That red book).
  • The 'Definite Article': Malay does not have a word that exactly matches 'the'. Instead, itu is used when you are talking about a specific object that the listener already knows about.
  • Singular and Plural: Unlike English, itu does not change based on number. It can mean both 'that' and 'those'. For example: Buku-buku itu (Those books).
  • Subject Marker: In longer sentences, itu often marks where the subject ends and the description begins. This helps clarify the sentence structure.
  • Standalone Use: While it often follows a noun, itu can also stand alone as a pronoun at the beginning of a sentence to mean "That is...". For example: Itu buku saya (That is my book).
  • Colloquial Form: In daily conversation, you will often hear it shortened to just tu.

Examples (4)

  1. Rumah itu besar.

    That house is big. / The house is big.

    Word by Word: House that big.

    Here, 'itu' follows the noun 'rumah' to specify which house is being discussed.

  2. Saya mahu membeli buku itu.

    I want to buy that book.

    Word by Word: I want buy book that.

    In this sentence, 'itu' marks 'buku' as the specific object the speaker wants.

  3. Kucing hitam itu sangat comel.

    That black cat is very cute.

    Word by Word: Cat black that very cute.

    Notice how 'itu' comes after the adjective 'hitam'. It always closes the noun phrase.

  4. Orang itu guru saya.

    That person is my teacher.

    Word by Word: Person that teacher my.

    In this equative sentence, 'itu' helps separate the subject (that person) from the predicate (my teacher).

Common Mistakes

  • Mixing up 'Itu rumah besar' with 'Rumah itu besar'.

    Different MeaningItu rumah besar.
    Rumah itu besar.

    'Itu rumah besar' is a good sentence meaning 'That is a big house'. To say 'That house is big', put 'itu' after the noun: 'Rumah itu besar'.

  • Using 'itu' for something near you.

    Different MeaningBuku itu di tangan saya.
    Buku ini di tangan saya.

    'Buku itu di tangan saya' is a good sentence: 'itu' also means 'the' for a book already mentioned. Use 'ini' to stress that it is close to you.

How It Connects

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Noun + ituLevel 1That After the Noun

Learn This First

To understand 'itu' after a noun, you need to be familiar with the basic Malay word order where modifiers follow the noun. It is also helpful to understand how Malay indicates definiteness, as 'itu' often functions similarly to the English definite article 'the' in addition to meaning 'that'.

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