Speak Malay


 

Bahasa Malaysia or Malay language is the national language and taught to everyone in school. However, more than one

language is spoken in daily life, which normally is in accordance to one’s race. For instance, Malay is spoken by the Malays,

Tamil by Indians  and Mandarin and the various Chinese Dialects by the Chinese. There is even a form of 16th-century

Portuguese known as Christang spoken by Eurasians of Portuguese descendants in Melaka. English has been adopted by many

Malaysians and used frequently alongside their own language for daily communication. It is very common now among the

Malaysian Chinese to add a English or European name to their Chinese name. The Orang Asli (Original People) or indigenous

peoples of Peninsula and Borneo Malaysia all have their own distinct language. Thus, a typical Malaysian would know the Malay

Language, the language of their race or some English. (See Manglish Link) The need to know some Malay become more apparent

when you travel to the outskirts and country side of Malaysia, where many of the local Malays speak only Malay. In major cities

and most towns, English usage is common. If all else fails, universal sign language can be used.

 

Commonly Used Malay Words and Phrases

 

 

Numbers

 

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
15 Lima belas
16 Enam belas
17 Tujuh belas
18 Lapan belas
19 Sembilan belas
20 Duapuluh

 

 

Greetings

Good Morning Selamat Pagi
Good afternoon Selamat Tengahari
Good evening Selamat Petang
Good night Selamat Malam
Goodbye Selamat Tinggal
Welcome Selamat Datang
How do you do? Apa Khabar?
Thank You Terima Kasih
My name is..... Nama Saya

 

 

 

Salutations

 

Mr Encik
Mrs Puan
Miss Cik
I/You Saya/Awak
He/Him/She/Her Dia
They/Their Mereka
We/Our Kami
May I know your name? Apa Nama Awak

 

 

Common phrases

Where…? Di mana…?
How…? Bagaimana…?
I want… Saya mahu…
Where do you live? Di mana awak tinggal?
What is your occupation? Apa pekerjaan awak?
I come from…. Saya datang dari….
I’m on holiday Saya sedang bercuti
See you soon Jumpa Lagi
Please show me the way… Tolong tunjukkan saya jalan ke….
I’m sorry/excuse me Maafkan Saya
Could you help me? Bolehkah awak tolong saya?
Can / Can’t Boleh / Tidak boleh
I would like to  drink / eat Saya hendak minum/ Saya hendak makan
Breakfast Sarapan pagi
Lunch Makan tengahari
Dinner Makan Malam
I have no small change Saya tidak ada wang kecil
I want to make a phone call Saya hendak membuat panggilan telefon
May I enter? Boleh saya masuk?
May I smoke? Boleh saya merokok?
Can I have more…? Boleh beri saya lagi?
This food is delicious Makanan ini sungguh sedap
I like the local food Saya suka makanan tempatan
How much is it? Berapakah harganya?
Please give me a receipt Tolong berikan saya resit
Please write down the address Boleh tolong tuliskan alamatnya

 

 

 

Reading Signs

Open / Close Buka / Tutup
Left / Right Kiri / Kanan
Man Lelaki
Woman Wanita
Girl Budak perempuan
Boy Budak lelaki

 

 

 

 

 

Day & Time

Sunday Ahad
Monday Isnin
Tuesday Selasa
Wednesday Rabu
Thursday Khamis
Friday Jumaat
Saturday Sabtu
Public Holiday Cuti Umum
Midday / Noon Tengahari
Midnight Tengah Malam
Dawn Subuh
Sunrise / Sunset Matahari terbit / Matahari terbenam
Dusk Senja
Day / Night Siang / Malam
Now Sekarang
Later Kemudian
Soon Sekejap lagi
Today Hari ini
Tomorrow Esok
Yesterday Semalam
Week Minggu
Month Bulan
Year Tahun
Last week / month / year Minggu Lepas / bulan lepas/ tahun lepas

 

 

 

 

Travel Questions

 

Where is the railway station / bus station / post office? Dimanakah stesen keretapi/stesen bas/ pejabat pos?
Is there a restaurant nearby? Adakah terdapat restoran berhampiran di sini?
I am looking for a money changer Saya sedang mencari pengurup wang
Where are you from? Anda dari mana?
How far is to Johor Bahru / Kota Bharu / Alor Star? Berapa jauhkah ke Johor Bahru / Kota Bahru / Alor Star ?
I would like to take a bus to Ipoh. Saya ingin menaiki bas ke Ipoh.
How much is to fly to Kuching / Kota Kinabalu? Berapakah tambang kapal terbang ke Kuching / ke Kota Kinabalu?
Is the National Park far from Kuala Lumpur? Adakah Taman Negara jauh dari Kuala Lumpur?
How do I get to Putrajaya? Bagaimanakah saya boleh pergi ke Putrajaya?
Where is the nearest hotel? Di manakah hotel yang terdekat?
Where is the toilet / restroom? Di manakah tandas / bilik air?
Where is the nearest LRT station? Di manakah stesen LRT yang terdekat?
I like satay. Where can I get it? Saya suka satay. Di manakah saya boleh dapatkannya?
Yes / No Ya / Tidak
Could you please snap a picture for me / us? Bolehkah tolong saya ambilkan gambar? / Bolehkah tolong kami ambilkan gambar?
Welcome to Malaysia Selamat datang ke Malaysia
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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