Mulakan

Mulakan is a Malay verb meaning to start or to begin something. It is typically used transitively, taking a direct object such as projek, kerja, atau langkah, to indicate initiating an action, process, or event. In everyday Malay, mulakan is common in both speech and writing, and its sense is closely aligned with the English word “start” or “begin.”

Etymology and form: Mulakan is formed from the root mula (begin) with the causative suffix -kan. This construction yields a transitive verb that emphasizes initiating or causing the subject to begin the specified action. The base form memulakan expresses the same idea in a more formal register, and memulakan is typically used in dictionary forms or more formal contexts.

Usage: Mulakan is often used to introduce instructions, plans, or commands. Examples: Mulakan projek baharu sekarang. Mulakan langkah pertama dalam latihan. Mulakan dengan perancangan yang teliti. It can also appear in phrases like mulakan semula to mean “restart” or “start over.”

Related terms: mula (noun “beginning”), permulaan (beginning, start), memulakan (formal/prefix version), memulai (Indonesian). In practice, mulakan and memulakan are closely related, with mulakan commonly used in everyday language and memulakan appearing in more formal or written contexts.

Notes: While closely related to memulakan, mulakan remains versatile and widely used across Malay-speaking communities in Malaysia and Singapore. Its usage may vary by dialect and context, but it generally conveys taking the first step to initiate something.