How to Get Started Learning Malay Language

Last Updated: June 17, 2024 Approved

Malay is considered one of the easiest Asian languages to learn - it has no plurals, conjunctions, or verb tenses! Whether you are a beginner looking to learn a couple of vocab words for fun, or are looking for a in depth start to learning the language, this article is a great introduction to some of the key words, greetings, and phrases. With repetition and practice, you'll be speaking like a local in no time!

1

Learn the key words

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Some key words are as follows:
- dog: anjing
- Yes: Ya
- No: Tidak
- Thank you: Terima kasih (Accept my thanks)
- Please: Sila
- And: Dan
- Cat: kucing
- Mouse: tikus

2

Learn greeting phrases.

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Greetings are a great way to start and end conversations with people in Malay. ^{[1]
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Research source}
- Good morning: Selamat pagi
- Good Afternoon: Selamat tengah hari
- Good Evening: Selamat petang
- Good Night: Selamat malam
- Goodbye: Selamat tinggal (Goodbye}
- Hello: Hello

3

Learn some common questions and answers.

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The following are some basic question and answer formats you can use to talk to friends or get to know someone new 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 less 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? "(To where you want go?)"
  - I'm going to ___: Saya hendak pergi ke ___ "(I want go to)"
- When will you return?: Bilakah kamu akan kembali ke sini? (When you will come back here?)
  - I will return (in the morning / in the afternoon / this evening / tonight) :
    Saya akan kembali (pagi ini / tengahari ini / petang ini / malam ini) .
- What is your job?: Apakah pekerjaan kamu? "(What occupation you?)"
  - 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 (look below)
- Have you got children?: Kamu ada anak? (informal)
- How are you doing?: Bagaimana dengan keadaan kamu? (How is condition you?)
  - Fine thanks, and you?: Khabar baik, kamu? (My news' good, you?)
- Do you understand what I mean?:Adakah kamu faham apa yang saya maksudkan?

4

Learn what to call people.

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There are specific words to use for different relatives, mentors, or people you don't know personally. ^{[2]
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Research source}
- 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

5

Learn the names of some foods.

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These words will help you order and request key food and drinks. ^{[3]
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Research source}
- I want to eat ___: Saya hendak makan ___
- Rice: Nasi
- Tea: Teh
- Coffee: Kopi
- Water: Air
- Soup: Sup

6

Learn a few other key words.

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These are all important words to know to further your ability to communicate.
- 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

7

Learn some expressions.

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Here are some essential phrases to learn in Malay: ^{[4]
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Research source}
- 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 (Hope you succeed)
- You are a very nice child: Kamu budak baik
- I love you: Saya cinta kamu
- Life is nice: Hidup ini indah

8

Learn some descriptive words.

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Descriptive words will help you add color and depth 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

9

Learn to name body parts.

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Below you'll find some major body parts: ^{[5]
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Research source}
- 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

10

Learn to count.

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Practice by using the numbers listed here: ^{[6]
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Research source}
- 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)

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What is the meaning of "Melakukan apa"?

Community Answer

"Melakukan apa" means, "Doing what?" If you want to ask, "What are you doing?", it would be "Kamu (Formal)/"Engkau/Kau" (Informal) tengah buat apa?"

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How do I write Malay stories well?

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Practice the language frequently and read a lot of Malay books and articles to get a feel for the language.

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How can I learn about tense and parts of speech?

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In Malay there are no past, present or future tenses like there are in English. Instead, words are added on to verbs to show whether something is happening, has happened or is going to happen. Using the verb 'makan', which means 'eat', as an example, you can add on the words 'sudah', 'sedang' and 'akan' to describe your actions. Saya sudah makan - I already ate. Saya akan makan - I will eat. Saya sedang makan - I'm eating.

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A lot of the pronunciations are pretty straight forward.

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Try to find some correct pronunciations in each word.

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* The "se" at the front is shortened from 'satu' (one)

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How to Get Started Learning Malay Language

Steps

Learn the key words

Learn greeting phrases.

Learn some common questions and answers.

Learn what to call people.

Learn the names of some foods.

Learn a few other key words.

Learn some expressions.

Learn some descriptive words.

Learn to name body parts.

Learn to count.

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

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References

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