Some Malay words carry two or more unrelated meanings. Masak can mean “to cook” or “ripe”; tahu can mean “to know” or “tofu”; semak can mean “to check” or “undergrowth”. The rest of the sentence shows which meaning is meant.
What your child will learn
- Use the sentence to choose the right meaning
- Know common words with two meanings
- Find one word that fits two different sentences
Let the sentence decide
Look at the words around it. In “Buah mangga itu sudah masak”, a fruit is being described, so masak means ripe. In “Ibu sedang masak di dapur”, someone is doing something, so it means cooking.
More pairs: haus (thirsty / worn thin), daki (dirt on the skin / to climb), pasang (to switch on / rising tide / a pair), bisa (venom / stinging pain), kali (times / occasions).
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. Dalam ayat “Pokok itu rendang dan teduh.”, “rendang” bermaksud…
- sudah mati
- sejenis lauk
- sangat tinggi
- berdaun lebat
Show answer
Answer: berdaun lebat. Dalam ayat ini, “rendang” bermaksud berdaun lebat.
2. Dalam ayat “Buah mangga itu sudah masak.”, “masak” bermaksud…
- masih muda
- menyediakan makanan
- ranum dan boleh dimakan
- sudah busuk
Show answer
Answer: ranum dan boleh dimakan. Dalam ayat ini, “masak” bermaksud ranum dan boleh dimakan.
3. Dalam ayat “Saya tidak tahu jawapannya.”, “tahu” bermaksud…
- mahu
- makanan daripada kacang soya
- suka
- mengerti atau maklum
Show answer
Answer: mengerti atau maklum. Dalam ayat ini, “tahu” bermaksud mengerti atau maklum.
Tips for grown-ups
- Make up two sentences for one word and let your child explain the difference.
- Collect double-meaning words on a fridge list.