If you do so another time you will certainly be punished— Kalau buat lagi sakali bageimana yang sudah ini tuntu-lah kena hukum.
Do you want employment?— Handak minta karja-kah?
Can you wait at table?— Tahu-kah jaga meja?
What are you doing?— Apa buat?
You must take great care of it, and see that it is not injured— Mahu-lah jaga baik-baik, jangan di-rosak-kan-nia.
Even in reprimanding or scolding another, it is common in Malay to adopt an impersonal and not a direct mode of address. Instead of saying, “You are a lazy, good-for-nothing boy, and deserve a good thrashing,” the Malay says, “What manner of boy is this? If one were to beat him soundly it would be well.”
Examples.
Are you deaf? Can’t you hear what I say to you?— Tuli-kah budak ini? Orang kata t’ada dengar-kah? (Lit. Is the boy deaf? does he not hear what one is saying?)
How slow you are! or, what a time you are taking!— Ai budak ini! bukan lambat-nia! (Lit. Oh, this boy! Isn’t he slow?)
How slowly you are rowing! Can’t you pull faster when you are told? Give way, will you!— Ai, bukan lengah dayong budak ini, bukan-kah orang suroh dĕras. Dĕras-lah sadikit. (Lit. Oh, are not these boys rowing slowly! Has not one told them to make haste? Quick! now, a little!)