mulai

Mulai is a common verb in Indonesian and Malay that means to begin or to start. It functions as the lexical base for initiating actions and, in many sentences, time is indicated by context or additional adverbs rather than by verb conjugation.

In usage, mulai appears in a wide range of constructions. For example, saya mulai bekerja means I am starting to work or I have begun working. Mulai can also introduce a future plan or commitment: mulai besok, kita akan berlatih (starting tomorrow, we will practice). The phrase mulai dari is a typical way to indicate a starting point, as in harga mulai dari 100.000 rupiah (prices start from 100,000 rupiah). Mulai can pair with other verbs to form a compound action, such as mulai belajar, mulai menulis, or mulai hidup baru, emphasizing the initiation of the activity.

Mulai also features in imperative form. The basic form mulai can function as a command in informal contexts, while mulailah is a more emphatic or polite imperative: mulai sekarang (start now) versus mulailah belajar secara teratur (start studying regularly). In everyday Indonesian and Malay, mulai is versatile and appears in both formal and colloquial registers.

Etymology and related usage: mulai is native to Malay and Indonesian vocabulary and is widely used across Malay-speaking communities. It is part of standard vocabulary for describing initiation, plans, schedules, and instructions, commonly complemented by adverbial phrases to convey timing and scope.