empat belas — meaning in English: fourteen

Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for fourteen

di mana

ingin

empat belas

bimbingan

mahal

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Malay for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native speakers use 'empat belas' when counting, referring to age, or discussing quantities. For example, in a classroom setting, a teacher might ask how many students are present, and the answer could be 'empat belas' if there are fourteen students. It’s also common in casual conversations about time, such as stating the date or discussing a group of items.

Synonyms & nuances

'Empat belas' specifically refers to the number fourteen, whereas 'puluh empat' (forty) encompasses a larger range. You would choose 'empat belas' when you want to indicate the precise number fourteen, especially in contexts like age or quantity, where precision matters.

Culture

The word 'empat belas' comes from the Malay roots 'empat' meaning 'four' and 'belas' which is used in counting from eleven to nineteen. This structure reflects the logical way numbers are formed in Malay, showcasing the language's mathematical elegance. Interestingly, the concept of fourteen is often linked to important cultural events, such as traditional festivals where gatherings of fourteen people might symbolize harmony and balance.

FAQ

Q.How do you say fourteen in Malay?

'Fourteen' in Malay is 'empat belas'. It's used in various contexts including counting, telling time, and discussing quantities.

Q.Is there a different way to say fourteen in Malay?

'Empat belas' is the standard term for fourteen in Malay. There aren't alternative forms, but you might encounter it in different dialects with slight pronunciation variations.

Q.What is the grammatical structure of Malay numbers?

Malay numbers are quite straightforward. They often combine base numbers with terms for ten, hundred, etc. For instance, 'empat' (four) and 'belas' (teen) combine to make 'empat belas' (fourteen).

Learn malay with Maspeak →

Malay Vocabulary