At/In: Di
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'di' to indicate a static location (at or in) before a place or time.
- Use 'di' for physical locations: 'di rumah' (at home).
- Use 'di' for time expressions: 'di waktu pagi' (in the morning).
- Never use 'di' with verbs of motion; use 'ke' instead.
Meanings
The preposition 'di' is used to denote a fixed location or a point in time. It is the equivalent of English 'at', 'in', or 'on' when referring to where something is.
Physical Location
Indicating where a person or object is situated.
“Dia di sekolah.”
“Buku itu di atas meja.”
Time Reference
Indicating a specific moment or period.
“Di waktu malam.”
“Di masa depan.”
Usage of 'di' with Nouns
| Structure | Malay | English | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preposition + Place | di rumah | at home | Saya di rumah |
| Preposition + Place | di sekolah | at school | Dia di sekolah |
| Preposition + Place | di pejabat | at office | Kami di pejabat |
| Preposition + Time | di pagi | in the morning | Di pagi hari |
| Preposition + Location | di atas | on top | Di atas meja |
| Preposition + Location | di bawah | underneath | Di bawah kerusi |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Subject + di + Place | Saya di kedai |
| Negative | Subject + tidak + di + Place | Saya tidak di kedai |
| Question | Adakah + Subject + di + Place? | Adakah anda di kedai? |
| Location Query | Di mana + Subject? | Di mana kunci? |
| Time | Di + Time | Di waktu malam |
| Compound | Di + dalam + Place | Di dalam bilik |
Formalitätsspektrum
Di manakah anda berada? (Asking location)
Di mana anda? (Asking location)
Kat mana? (Asking location)
Mana? (Asking location)
The 'di' Universe
Places
- rumah house
- sekolah school
Time
- pagi morning
- malam night
Examples by Level
Saya di rumah.
I am at home.
Dia di sekolah.
He/She is at school.
Buku di atas meja.
The book is on the table.
Kami di restoran.
We are at the restaurant.
Adakah anda di pejabat?
Are you at the office?
Saya tidak di rumah sekarang.
I am not at home now.
Di mana kunci itu?
Where is the key?
Dia di dalam kereta.
He is in the car.
Mesyuarat itu diadakan di dewan besar.
The meeting is held in the large hall.
Dia tinggal di Kuala Lumpur.
He lives in Kuala Lumpur.
Jangan letak beg di lantai.
Don't put the bag on the floor.
Di waktu petang, kami berehat.
In the evening, we rest.
Keputusan itu diumumkan di laman web rasmi.
The result was announced on the official website.
Dia sedang di dalam proses menyiapkan laporan.
He is in the process of preparing the report.
Sila tunggu di ruang menunggu.
Please wait in the waiting area.
Peristiwa itu berlaku di tahun 1990.
The event happened in the year 1990.
Karya ini diterbitkan di dalam jurnal akademik.
This work was published in an academic journal.
Dia berdiri di ambang pintu.
He stood at the threshold of the door.
Di sebalik kejayaan itu, ada usaha keras.
Behind that success, there is hard work.
Kami bertemu di persimpangan jalan.
We met at the crossroads.
Di dalam sanubari, dia tahu kebenarannya.
Deep in his heart, he knew the truth.
Perkara ini tertakluk di bawah undang-undang.
This matter is subject to the law.
Dia berada di puncak kerjayanya.
He is at the peak of his career.
Di kala senja, suasana menjadi tenang.
At twilight, the atmosphere becomes calm.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up static location and movement.
Learners don't know when to space it.
Both can mean 'at'.
Häufige Fehler
Saya ke rumah.
Saya di rumah.
dirumah
di rumah
Saya di pergi sekolah.
Saya di sekolah.
Di mana awak pergi?
Ke mana awak pergi?
Dia di makan.
Dia sedang makan.
Di saya.
Pada saya.
Di hari ini.
Hari ini.
Buku itu di baca.
Buku itu dibaca.
Dia di dalam cinta.
Dia jatuh cinta.
Di Kuala Lumpur saya tinggal.
Saya tinggal di Kuala Lumpur.
Di mana-mana dia pergi.
Ke mana-mana dia pergi.
Di dalam hal ini.
Dalam hal ini.
Di antara kami.
Antara kami.
Di atas dasar itu.
Atas dasar itu.
Sentence Patterns
Saya di ___.
___ di atas meja.
Adakah anda di ___?
Di ___ saya belajar.
Real World Usage
Dah di mana?
Di mana hotel?
Hantar di rumah.
Saya bekerja di syarikat ini.
Di pantai!
Belok di simpang.
The Static Rule
Don't Attach!
Time Usage
Informal 'kat'
Smart Tips
Always check if you are moving or staying.
Check for the space after 'di'.
Use 'di' for periods, 'pada' for points.
Distinguish between 'di' (preposition) and 'di-' (verb).
Aussprache
Clear articulation
The 'd' is soft, 'i' is like 'ee' in 'see'.
Question
Di mana? ↑
Rising intonation for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Di is for 'D'welling (place) and 'D'ay (time).
Visual Association
Imagine a giant 'di' sitting comfortably in a chair at home. Because it is sitting, it is static, not moving.
Rhyme
When you are at a place, use 'di' in every case.
Story
Ali is at home (di rumah). He looks at his watch; it is morning (di pagi hari). He stays there because he is not going anywhere.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Label 5 items in your room using sticky notes with 'di [item name]'.
Kulturelle Hinweise
Used in all formal settings and media.
Often replaced by 'kat' in informal speech.
Similar usage, but 'di' is always separated.
Derived from Proto-Austronesian locative markers.
Conversation Starters
Di mana anda sekarang?
Di mana pejabat anda?
Di mana anda biasanya berehat?
Di mana tempat kegemaran anda?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Saya ___ rumah.
Dia pergi ___ sekolah.
Find and fix the mistake:
dirumah
Saya di pejabat.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
di / saya / rumah
Buku itu ___ meja.
___ mana kunci?
Score: /8
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesSaya ___ rumah.
Dia pergi ___ sekolah.
Find and fix the mistake:
dirumah
Saya di pejabat.
di pagi
di / saya / rumah
Buku itu ___ meja.
___ mana kunci?
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
Yes, for static locations.
No, use 'pada' for people.
That is the passive prefix, not the preposition.
It is standard and neutral.
Yes, for general time periods.
Di is static, Ke is movement.
Subject + di + Place.
Yes, but 'kat' is common in colloquial Malay.
In Other Languages
en
Spanish has 'a' for movement, similar to Malay 'ke'.
à / dans
Malay uses 'di' for both.
in / an
Malay is an isolating language without cases.
ni / de
Malay uses 'di' for both.
fi
Arabic has more complex prepositional systems.
zài
Chinese 'zài' can also act as a verb.
