Lesson X On the Verbs Buleh, Bahagi, &c.
The verbs buleh, can, or to be able; bahagi, to give (lit. to divide); kasih and bĕri, to give, grant; and biar, to permit, to suffer, are frequently used to govern other verbs, which they invariably precede.
Buleh is a contraction of ber-uleh, a verb formed from the preposition uleh, by, by means of. The primary meaning of ber-uleh or buleh is to obtain, effect, and hence it has come to mean “to be able.” The original sense of the word may be seen in such sentences as ber-uleh per-minta-an, to obtain (compliance with) a request; sudah-kah buleh anak? have you had a child?
Examples
How can one know?— Mana buleh tahu?
Can you read English?— Kamu buleh-kah mem-bacha surat Inggris?
It is not to be calculated— Tiada-lah buleh handak di-kira-kira lagi.
Every month I remind (give to remember) him— Tiap-tiap bulan ada hamba-tuan bĕri ingat.
To feed (lit. give to eat)— Bĕri makan.
Just read that and let me hear it— Choba bacha itu biar sahaya dengar.
I wished to speak to him, but they would not let me— Sahaya handak chakap dengan dia orang ta’ bahagi.
He informed (gave to know) the Penghulu— Dia bĕri tahu kapada Penghulu.
Send those people away— Kasih pulang orang-orang itu.
Let it fall— Biar jatoh.
Exercise
I cannot open the door. He tried to stab him, but could not touch him. Let him strike. Let the axe drop. His brother cannot understand the accounts. Let that child go back to the house. I wanted to give him a little tea, but they would not permit it. The raja sent (gave to go) messengers. He brought (gave to come) his wife and children. Can I live here? I have searched, but I cannot find it. He lets them come into the house. When can you come?
Request, per-minta-an, from minta, to ask; messenger, lit. one ordered, penyuroh, from suroh, to order; to remember, ingat; to read, bacha; to fall, jatoh; every, tiap-tiap.