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semeja

English translation: differentiate by the total context of the sentence

02:37 Jan 13, 2011
Malay to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Education / Pedagogy / Differentiate the affixation
Malay term or phrase: semeja
If we say adding affix "se" to noun will gives the meaning of quantity one, can we say "Saya ada semeja" to mean " I have one table?". If not what is the good explanation to differentiate the use of "se" to show quantity of "one" and "se" to show "in the same" like as in " Kami makan semeja"?.

Thank you
mysarah
United States
Local time: 20:48
English translation:differentiate by the total context of the sentence
Explanation:
I would say that the best way to differentiate the meaning or usage with the prefix "se" in this case is via the context.

In your example sentence of "kami makan semeja" (kami = we, makan = eat). If "semeja" is "one table" in this sentence, it would not make sense.

Selected response from:

Joyce A
Thailand
Local time: 07:48
Grading comment
Thank you!
2 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +2at the same table
abdrahman
4differentiate by the total context of the sentence
Joyce A


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
differentiate by the total context of the sentence


Explanation:
I would say that the best way to differentiate the meaning or usage with the prefix "se" in this case is via the context.

In your example sentence of "kami makan semeja" (kami = we, makan = eat). If "semeja" is "one table" in this sentence, it would not make sense.



Joyce A
Thailand
Local time: 07:48
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 2
Grading comment
Thank you!
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
at the same table


Explanation:
In order to mean "one table" we have to use, in formal speech, the "penjodoh bilangan", so "sebuah meja" or, informally, "satu meja".

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Note added at 8 days (2011-01-21 16:34:01 GMT) Post-grading
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The use of the numeral classifier (penjodoh bilangan) is imperative when using "se" as to mean one. However, one can sometimes dispense with the classifier when using "satu" or counting with "se" and "puluh", "ratus" or "ribu" etc

abdrahman
Local time: 08:48
Native speaker of: Native in MalayMalay, Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: I agree. So is there a rule that saying to use "se" as to mean one, must be added to its classifier?.Also, can I say, the rules to use "se" to indicate " the same/sharing", it must 1) be done to more then 1 party (contoh: saya sekampung dengan Ali).This sentence indicate 2 people involved, also 2) it sometimes must be followed with "dengan".


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Graham Benne (X): Yes the use of the penjodoh bilangan makes it clear.
43 mins
agree  saifulbajoe
28 days
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