The difference between para and semua

In BM, the plural is denoted by certain words known as Kata Bilangan (Numeral Words) such as para, semua, kesemua, sekalian, segala, segelintir, sesetengah, sebilangan kecil, sebilangan besar, banyak and kebanyakan which are used in front of Kata Nama (Nouns)

In this post, I will limit my discussion to the use of para and semua.

Para is specially used in front respectable people such as pemimpin (leaders), guru (teachers), menteri (ministers). It cannot be used for minor or despicable people the like of whom include pencuri (thieves), perompak (robbers), penculik (kidnappers) and pengemis (beggars).
Another thing to note is that this word is used for human beings only.

On the other hand, semua can be used for both human beings, animals and things.

The following are examples of errors in the use of para and their corrections.

1 Para perompak biasanya bersenjata semasa merompak bank atau kedai emas. [Robbers usually are armed when they rob banks or goldsmiths.] [Wrong]
Semua perompak biasanya bersenjata semasa merompak bank atau kedai emas. [Correct]

2 Para kanak-kanak diberi makanan dan minuman dalam majlis itu. [Children were given food and drinks at the function.[Wrong]
Semua kanak-kanak diberi makanan dan minuman dalam majlis itu. [Correct]

That will do for today. We will meet again soon.

Introduction to this blog

I set up this blog to promote the correct use of Bahasa Malaysia (BM), my country's national language. There are mistakes in the usage here and there, especially in the newspapers and magazines. It is my hope through this blog, I will be able to help readers write gramatically correct sentences in BM.

I have been a teacher for this language for over 30 years. This will be my little contribution to the language.

I hope to be able to pin-point errors in the usage in the hope that the language will be correct at all times, like English.