bagaimana
/baˌɡaiˈmana/
The English word "how" can be translated into Malay as bagaimana or macam mana.
Meaning: in what manner (adv)
Ways to say it
| Malay | IPA |
|---|---|
| bagaimana | /baˌɡaiˈmana/ |
| macam mana | /ˌmat͡ʃam ˈmanə/ /ˌmat͡ʃam ˈmana/ |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase macam mana is literally composed of macam (like/as) and mana (where/which), meaning "like which manner".
Which one should you use?
bagaimana is the formal version of "how", whereas macam mana is the colloquial or spoken version used in everyday conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
/baˌɡaiˈmana/. The stress typically falls on the final syllable na.
Did you know?
- The word macam in the phrase macam mana likely traveled from Arabic through Persian to reach the Malay language.
- The formal bagaimana is built from the word bagai, which is a poetic way to say 'like' or 'as' in Malay literature.
- While macam mana is the standard way to ask 'how' in conversation, the word macam also functions as a noun meaning 'type' or 'kind'.
Examples in context
- Bagaimana Tom telah dibunuh?How was Tom killed?This sentence is useful for asking about the manner in which an event occurred using bagaimana.Tatoeba #1929791 by Adou_Fr, translation #1839473 by CK
- Bagaimana saya boleh membantu?How can I possibly help?This sentence is useful for offering assistance using bagaimana.Tatoeba #9695709 by imperiex, translation #5781631 by CK
- Bagaimana dengan malam semalam?How was last night?This sentence is useful for asking about the quality or state of a past event using bagaimana.Tatoeba #10727693 by imperiex, translation #3822026 by CK
- Bagaimana keadaan anda?How are you doing?
- Bagaimana keadaan cuaca hari ini?How is the weather today?
- Macam mana saya boleh membantu anda?How can I assist you?
- Macam mana cara untuk sampai ke sana?How do I get there?
- Camne kau boleh buat macam tu?How did you do that?
- Camne aku nak tahu?How should I know?
- Macam mana dia belajar semua ni?How does he learn all this?
- Macam mana kita nak pergi sana?How do we go there?
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ahmad and Aishah are talking about a new job.
- AhmadBagaimana kerja baru awak, Aishah?How is your new job, Aishah?
- AishahSangat menyeronokkan dan sangat mencabar.It is very fun and very challenging.
- AhmadSaya tumpang gembira untuk awak.I am happy for you.
- AishahTerima kasih, Ahmad.Thank you, Ahmad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “how” translations and entries bagaimana, macam mana, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bagaimana, macam, macam mana, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
