be-ratus-ratus, by hundreds.
be-ribu-ribu, by thousands.
The word ganda, which in Hindustani is a collective numeral meaning “a four,” is used in Malay in conjunction with numerals in a sense corresponding to the English word “times;” as dua-ganda, double, twice; tiga-ganda, triple, three times.
[Numeral Co-Efficients.]
In Malay, as in Burmese, Siamese, and Chinese, “there exists a set of specific and technical terms, called by the grammarians numeral affixes, some one or other of which is always used as a co-efficient to the numeral, the term being selected according to the class under which the object falls.”[7] The use of these terms will be best understood by comparing it with the analogous use in English of such phrases as so many head of cattle; so many file of soldiers; so many sail of ships; so many stand of rifles.
1. Orang (person or persons) is introduced in the enumeration of mankind; as China tiga orang, Malayu sa’orang, three Chinese and a Malay; budak dua orang, two children.
2. Ekor (tail) is employed in speaking of animals; as sa-ekor kuching, a cat; kuda bĕlang dua ekor, two piebald horses; ikan kechil-kechil barang lima anam ekor, about five or six small fish.
3. Buah (fruit) is applied to fruit, houses, ships, places, &c.; as sa-buah rumah, a house; sa-buah nĕgri, a town or kingdom; lima buah kapal, five ships.
4. Biji (seed) is applied to small objects more or less round; as buah manggis lima-puloh biji, fifty mangostins; ampat biji telor, four eggs; nior muda sa-biji, one green cocoa-nut.
[5.] Halei or lei, to tenuous objects, such as hair, feathers, leaves, wearing apparel, &c.; as bulu sa-lei, a feather; kain Palembang sa-puloh halei, ten Palembang sarongs.