Classifiers and the Prefix 'se'

What are classifiers?

Words used to identify things and classify them in terms of number.

What is the classifier for people? Provide a examples.

Classifier: Orang
Single: Seorang
Plural: Tiga orang doktor

Sentence: Tiga orang petani tingaal di sana - (Two farmers live there)

What is the classifier for animals? Provide examples.

Classifier: Ekor
Single: Seekor

Plural: Tiga ekor kuda

What is the classifier for everything (objects)?

Classifier: Buah
Single: Sebuah

Plural: Tiga belas buah kotak - 13 boxes

What does the classifier ‘Biji’ indicate?

‘seed’ - for small round objects
Example: Saya akan makan dua biji telur nanti malam

What does the classifier ‘Batang’ indicate?

‘cylinder’ - for long, rounded objects (e.g. cigarettes)

Example: sebatang rokok

What does the classifier ‘Helai’ indicate?

‘sheets’ - for thin, flat things (paper)

Example: dua helai kertas