Initiating Your Malay Language Learning Journey

Buzz

Content

Master the essential vocabulary

Master Greeting Phrases.

Acquaint Yourself with Common Questions and Answers.

Discover Appropriate Terms of Address.

Explore Names of Various Foods.

Acquire Knowledge of Other Essential Terms.

Explore Expressions.

Discover Descriptive Words.

Learn Naming Body Parts.

Learn Counting.

Malay stands out as one of the most accessible Asian languages to delve into - it lacks complexities such as plurals, conjunctions, or verb tenses! Whether you're a novice aiming to expand your vocabulary for amusement or seeking a comprehensive initiation into the language, this article serves as an excellent primer, covering essential words, greetings, and phrases. With consistent practice, you'll soon converse like a local!

Proceedings

Master the essential vocabulary

Here are some pivotal words:

dog: anjing
Yes: Ya
No: Tidak
Thank you: Terima kasih (Accept my thanks)
Please: Sila
And: Dan
Cat: kucing
Mouse: tikus

Master Greeting Phrases.

Greetings serve as excellent conversation starters and closers in Malay.

Good morning: Selamat pagi
Good Afternoon: Selamat tengah hari
Good Evening: Selamat petang
Good Night: Selamat malam
Goodbye: Selamat tinggal (Farewell)
Hello: Hello

Acquaint Yourself with Common Questions and Answers.

Below are some fundamental question and answer formats to interact with friends or acquaintances in Malay.

How are you?: Apa khabar? (What news?)
- I am okay: Saya baik (I'm good)
- I am not okay: Saya kurang baik (I'm not so good)
- I am ill: Saya sakit
Where are you?: Di manakah kamu?
- I am at ___: Saya di ___
Where do you live?: Di manakah kamu tinggal?
- I live in ___: Saya tinggal di ___
How old are you?: Berapakah umur kamu? (How much is your age?)
- My age is ___years old: Umur saya ___ tahun
What is your name?: Siapakah nama kamu?
- My name is ___: Nama saya ___
Where are you going?: Ke manakah kamu hendak pergi? (Where do you want to go?)
- I'm going to ___: Saya hendak pergi ke ___ (I want to go to)
When will you return?: Bilakah kamu akan kembali ke sini? (When will you come back here?)
- I will return (in the morning / in the afternoon / this evening / tonight):
  Saya akan kembali (this morning / this afternoon / this evening / tonight).
What is your job?: Apakah pekerjaan kamu? (What's your occupation?)
- My job is a ___: Pekerjaan saya ialah seorang ___
Have you arrived there yet?: Kamu sudah tiba di sana?
I am going: Saya akan pergi
What?: Apa?
How many?: Berapa?
How many siblings have you got?: Berapakah adik-beradik yang kamu ada?
I have ___ sibling(s): Saya ada ___ adik-beradik (see below)
Have you got children?: Kamu ada anak? (informal)
How are you doing?: Bagaimana dengan keadaan kamu? (How's it going?)
- Fine thanks, and you?: Khabar baik, kamu? (I'm good, you?)
Do you understand what I mean?: Adakah kamu faham apa yang saya maksudkan?

Discover Appropriate Terms of Address.

Learn the Appropriate Terms for Various Relationships, Mentors, or Individuals You're Less Familiar With.

You: Engkau (informal) / Kamu/Awak (formal)
I: Aku (informal) / Saya (formal)
My/Mine: Milik aku (informal) / Milik saya (formal) [Assuming that the word after is a noun]
Mum: Ibu / Emak / Ummi
Dad: Bapa / Ayah
Elder sister: Kakak
Elder brother: Abang
Younger sister or brother: Adik
Uncle: Pak cik
Auntie: Mak cik
Girl: Perempuan
Boy: Lelaki
Woman: Wanita
Man: Jejaka/Lelaki
Teacher: Guru (Occupation) Cikgu (Calling)
Miss: Cik
Mrs.: Puan
Mr.: Encik

Explore Names of Various Foods.

These Terms Will Assist You in Ordering and Requesting Key Foods and Beverages.

I want to eat ___: Saya hendak makan ___
Rice: Nasi
Tea: Teh
Coffee: Kopi
Water: Air
Soup: Sup

Acquire Knowledge of Other Essential Terms.

These Words Are Essential for Enhancing Your Communication Skills.

Car: Kereta
Life: Hidup
Country: Negara
State: Negeri
City: Bandar
Village: Kampung
House: Rumah
Nation: Rakyat/Masyarakat
Tribe: Puak
Toddler: Kanak-kanak/Budak
Teenager: Remaja
Adult: Dewasa
Daughter: Anak perempuan
Son: Anak lelaki
Clothes: Baju
Shirt: Kemeja
Pants: Seluar
Day: Hari
Kiss: Cium

Explore Expressions.

Discover Key Phrases to Master in Malay:

You are beautiful: Kamu cantik
I am going: Saya hendak pergi
Do not go: Jangan pergi
I swear to God: Saya bersumpah kepada Tuhan
For example: Sebagai contoh
Good luck: Semoga berjaya (Wishing success)
You are a very nice child: Kamu budak baik
I love you: Saya cinta kamu
Life is nice: Hidup ini indah

Discover Descriptive Words.

Descriptive Vocabulary Adds Depth and Vivacity to Your Language.

Together: Bersama-sama
In: Masuk
Above (on): Atas
Below (under): Bawah
Beside: Sebelah
Back: Belakang (Direction/Anatomy), Balik/Pulang (Return)
Go: Pergi
Nice: Baik
Many: Banyak
Very: Amat
Pain: Sakit

Learn Naming Body Parts.

Discover Major Body Parts Below:

Head: Kepala
Neck: Leher
Eye / eyes: Mata
Nose: Hidung
Mouth: Mulut
Eyebrow: Kening
Ear / ears: Telinga
Hair: Rambut
Cheek: Pipi
Hand: Tangan
Shoulder: Bahu
Chest: Dada
Breast: Buah dada/payudara
Stomach: Perut
Umbilicus/Navel/Bellybutton: Lubang pusat '(Hole middle)'
Foot / feet / lower limb: Kaki
Fingers: Jari
Toes: Jari kaki

Learn Counting.

Practice Counting Using the Numbers Listed Here:

1: satu
2: dua
3: tiga
4: empat
5: lima
6: enam
7: tujuh
8: lapan
9: sembilan
10: sepuluh*
11: sebelas*
12: dua belas
13: tiga belas
14: empat belas
20: dua puluh
21: dua puluh satu
30: tiga puluh
40: empat puluh
100: seratus*
101: seratus satu*
1000: seribu *
10000: sepuluh ratus (ten thousand)
100000: seratus ribu (one hundred thousand)
1000000: sejuta (one million)

Insights

* The 'se' at the front is shortened from 'satu' (one)
Try to find some correct pronunciations in each word.
A lot of the pronunciations are pretty straightforward.

The content is developed by the Mytour team with the aim of customer care and solely to inspire travel experiences. We do not take responsibility for or provide advice for other purposes.

If you find this article inappropriate or containing errors, please contact us via email at [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common greetings in the Malay language?

Common greetings in Malay include 'Selamat pagi' for good morning, 'Selamat tengah hari' for good afternoon, 'Selamat petang' for good evening, and 'Selamat malam' for good night. These phrases help you engage in polite conversation.

How can I ask someone how they are doing in Malay?

To inquire about someone's well-being in Malay, you can say 'Apa khabar?' which translates to 'How are you?'. It's a friendly way to start a conversation and shows interest in the other person's state.

What phrases can I use to say thank you and please in Malay?

To express gratitude in Malay, say 'Terima kasih' for thank you, and to make a request politely, use 'Sila' for please. These phrases are essential for courteous interactions.

How do I ask for someone's name in the Malay language?

You can ask for someone's name in Malay by saying 'Siapakah nama kamu?' which means 'What is your name?'. This is a common way to get to know someone better.