Lesson XII On the Words Sampat and Dan
Sampat, to be able, competent to, opportunity, fit time; and dan, occasion, opportunity, fit time, are two useful words which are employed with verbs in much the same manner as buleh, lalu, &c.
In some parts of the peninsula (Perak, for example), sampang is used instead of sampat.
These words are used more generally to state a negative proposition than an affirmative one.
Examples
They are not able to stand— Tiada-lah sampat iya ber-diri.
There was not time (for the fire) to spread to the inner part of the house, but (it was confined) to the cook-room— Tiada sampang di-makan sampei ka-dalam rumah hania sa-bĕlah dapor sahaja.
There was no time to render assistance— Tiada dan di-tulong.
He is not in a position to resist— Tiada sampat iya me-lawan.
I was not in time to see him; he had already started— Ta’dan ber-jumpa, sudah dia jalan dahulu.
Such of them as could not gain the shore— Barang yang tiada sampat naik ka-darat.
Exercise
He ran away before I was able to seize him. They were unable to run away, for people seized them. He went away quickly, so I had no time to see him. That place is very far off; there is not time to reach it in one day. He fell down and died before one could render assistance. Yesterday I was in a great hurry and had not time to finish what I was saying. There is not time to finish it in two days. Before I could stand up he struck me.
To stand, ber-diri; except, but, hania; to help, tulong; to resist, oppose, lawan; to meet, jumpa; land, darat; any, some, each, every, barang.