|
Word |
Meaning |
Example |
| lah |
Used
to affirm a statement (similar to "of course"). Frequently
used at the end of sentences and usually ends with an
exclamation mark (!). |
Don't
be an idiot
lah! |
| nia/mia |
Used
to affirm a sentence (similar to "only"). It is similar to
"mah" and "lah" but used in a casual context. |
i got
RM5 'nia' , he is very stupid 'mia' |
| mah |
Used
to affirm a sentence but not as strongly as "lah". Used at
the end of sentences. |
She's
like that
mah.. |
| nah |
Derived from the Malay expression of "Nah!". This is not
the usual 'Nah' which means 'No'. Used when giving
something to another person. |
Nah,
take this! (Here, take this!) |
| meh |
Used
when asking questions, especially when a person is
skeptical of something. |
Really
meh?
Cannot
meh? |
| liao |
Means
"already" |
No
more stock
liao. |
| ah |
Derived from the Chinese expression "a". Used at the end
of sentences, unlike
meh
the question is rhetorical. Also used when asking a
genuine question. Besides that, some people use it when
referring to a subject before making a (usually negative)
comment. |
Why
is he like that
ah?
Is
that true
ah?
My
brother
ah,
always disturb me! |
| lor |
Used
when explaining something. |
Like
that
lor! |
| got |
Used
as a literal translation from the Malay word 'ada'. The
arrangement of words is often also literally translated.
This particular particle is widely abused in Manglish,
mainly because of the difficulty for the Manglish speaker
of comprehending the various correct uses of the English
verb 'to have'. Therefore, 'got' is substituted for every
tense of the verb. |
You
got anything to do?
(Kamu ada apa-apa untuk buat?)
I got
already/got/will get my car from the garage. Got or not?
(Really?) Where got? (To deny something, as in Malay "Mana
ada?") |
| what |
Unlike British/American English, the word 'what' is often
used as an exclamation mark, not just to ask a question. |
What!
How could you do that?
I
didn't take it,
what. |
| d/dy |
Derived from the word "already". Often used in online
chatroom by the youth in Malaysia. |
I eat
'd' 'loh' |
| leh |
Used
to soften an order, thus making it less harsh |
Give
me that
leh. |
| one |
Used
as an emphasis at the end of a sentence. |
Why
is he so naughty
one
(ah)? |
Manglish is a Malaysian
speaking style with many similarities with the Singaporean
Singlish. It is a distorted usage of English that is mainly spoken
between the locals. Locals rarely speak to a foreigners or
traveler using Manglish. It may seem a little embarrassing and
inappropriate for a local to speak to a foreigner in Manglish as
it is not proper usage of the English language. Furthermore, a
foreigner may not understand and frown upon Manglish usage. Try to
listen and identify Manglish is it is spoken between the locals.
It is noted that some expatriates working and living in Malaysia
has picked up on Manglish and seem to want to blend in by using
Manglish.