apa
What with Apa
Apa is the Malay word for 'what'. It is used to ask about things, ideas, or activities. In formal contexts, it often becomes apakah.
How It Works
1. Basic Usage
In casual conversation, apa often stays in the same position as the object it replaces (in-situ). For example, 'Awak makan apa?' (You eat what?) instead of 'What do you eat?'.
2. Formal Usage with -kah
In formal writing, the question word is moved to the front and the particle -kah is attached to form apakah. When fronted this way, it is standard to follow it with yang (e.g., Apakah yang awak makan?). Note that while some older texts use apakah for Yes/No questions, in modern Malaysian Malay, you should use adakah for Yes/No questions and apakah only for 'what'.
3. Indefinite Pronoun (Anything)
When apa is doubled to form apa-apa, it means 'anything' or 'whatever'. It is used in negative sentences ('Saya tidak mahu apa-apa') and positive contexts to show free choice ('Ambil apa-apa sahaja').
4. Cultural Note: Names
To become proficient in Malay, use siapa (who) when asking for a name in formal settings (Siapa nama awak?). While Apa nama? is common in casual Malaysian slang, using siapa is the grammatically correct standard.
Examples (6)
- Awak makan apa?
What are you eating?
Word by Word: You eat what?
A common casual sentence where 'apa' remains at the end of the sentence.
- Apakah hobi anda?
What is your hobby?
Word by Word: What [is] hobby yours?
A formal construction using 'apakah' at the beginning of the sentence.
- Dia tidak kata apa-apa.
He/She didn't say anything.
Word by Word: He/She not say anything.
The reduplicated form 'apa-apa' functions as 'anything' in negative sentences.
- Ambil apa-apa sahaja.
Take anything at all.
Word by Word: Take anything only.
In positive sentences, 'apa-apa' expresses free choice, meaning 'anything at all'.
- Apa khabar?
How are you? (Literally: What news?)
Word by Word: What news?
The standard Malay greeting using 'apa'.
- Ini apa?
What is this?
Word by Word: This what?
A simple way to ask about an object using the pronoun ini.
Common Mistakes
Using 'apa' to ask for a person's name in formal contexts.
Apa nama awak?Siapa nama awak?In formal and standard Malay, names are treated as part of a person's identity, so siapa (who) is preferred. However, 'apa' is frequently heard in very casual Malaysian speech.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'apa' (what), you need to understand how Malay forms basic sentences without a copula (is/are) and how the standard Subject-Verb-Object order works, as 'apa' simply replaces the noun or predicate you are asking about.
Related Patterns
- siapaWho with Siapa
Used to ask 'who'; often confused with 'apa' when asking for names.
Level 1 - -kahQuestion Suffix -kah
The suffix added to 'apa' in formal fronted questions.
Level 3 - apakahFormal Questions with Apakah
The formal marker for Yes/No questions; learners should use 'adakah' for Yes/No and 'apakah' for 'what'.
Level 1 - yangRelative Clauses with Yang
In formal fronted questions, 'apakah' is typically followed by 'yang'.
Level 2 - Questions with statement order
The casual way to ask questions without using 'apa' or 'adakah'.
Level 1 - Nominal reduplication
The process used to turn 'apa' into 'apa-apa' (anything).
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice apa in Bubblegum
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