Malaysia Languages

Malaysia is a multilingual country with approximately 137 languages but the national language will be Malay language (Bahasa Melayu or Bahasa Malaysia). Other commonly spoken languages are English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien and Tamil.

Just tune into any radio stations or walk down the street, you can hear everyone speaking different kinds of languages because Malaysia consist of three main races – Malays, Chinese and Indians. Plus, other native groups located in East Malaysia.

For daily conversation, locals like to speak casually. They will mix & match few languages together, making their conversation more localized and fun. You can even create your own phrases and everyone still understood what you are trying to say. Pretty cool huh :)

For example,

“Macha, let’s go Yum Cha” means “Brother, let’s go have a drink”

(combining three languages – Tamil, English and Cantonese)

“Hey bro, want to makan here or tapau?” means “Hey bro, want to eat here or takeaway?”

(combining three languages – English, Malay and Cantonese)

Besides, Malaysian loves to add on extra flavour or spices in every sentences. Just to name a few - ‘la’, ‘le’, ‘ba’, ‘ma’, ‘eh’ or ‘ah’.

Mentioning them in different tones will deliver different expression and meaning.

For example,

“no la” means “no”

“cincai la” means “whatever”

“ok ma?” means “are you ok?”

“steady le” means “no worries, I’m good”

“sure ah?” means “are you sure?”

You can even know that person came from which state if they add on certain slang.

For example, if the person said “Ok pun”. By adding the word “pun” at the end of every sentences, they mostly came from Penang.

All these unique lingos or mixed languages (Bahasa Rojak) brought everyone closely together as One Malaysia (Satu Malaysia)!

Okay... back to serious matter... it is time learn some proper wordings.

Here are some commonly used phrases and their translations.

English – Malay

Source: https://www.holidify.com/pages/languages-of-malaysia-3710.html

Hello -- Hallo

Welcome -- Selamat Datang

Good bye -- Selamat Jalan/ Selamat Tinggal

See you again -- Jumpa Lagi

Yes -- Ya

No -- Tidak

Thank you -- Terima Kasih

How are you? -- Apa khabar?

I'm fine -- Khabar Baik

Please -- Sila

My name is... -- Nama saya ialah…

Can you speak Bahasa Malaysia? -- Boleh cakap Melayu?

I don’t understand -- Saya tidak faham

Help -- Tolong

Malay: Travel Words: Bahasa Inggeris: 30 most common words in English-Bahasa Malaysia

English – Mandarin

Source : https://www.holidify.com/pages/languages-of-malaysia-3710.html

Hello -- Nǐ hǎo (Nee how)

Thank you -- Xiè xiè (Shieh-shieh)

You're welcome -- Bù kè qì (Boo kuh-chi)

Good morning -- Zǎo (Zhow)

My name is... -- Wǒ jiào... (Wuh jeow...)

How much? -- Duō shǎo? (Dwuh shauw?)

I don't understand -- Wǒ bù dǒng (Wuh boo dong)

Yes -- Shì (Sheh)

No -- Bù shì (Bu-sheh)

Good bye -- Zài jiàn (Zhai-jian)

CHINESE DAILY USE SENTENCES FOR BEGINNERS 2019

English – Tamil

Source : https://www.holidify.com/pages/languages-of-malaysia-3710.html

Hello / Welcome -- Vanakkam

What? -- Enna?

Where? -- Yenga

How? -- Yeppadi?

Why? -- Yen/Yedhukku?

When? -- Yeppo?

Thanks -- Nandri

Sorry -- Manichurunga / Manippu

You're very kind! -- Ungalai santhithathil magizhchi or Magizhchi!

Where are you from? -- Nienga engirundhu varrienga?

Sailaja's How to speak Tamil Part 1

English – Iban

(Iban is the most widely spoken language by the people in Sarawak – the native language of East Malaysia)

Source : https://www.holidify.com/pages/languages-of-malaysia-3710.html

Welcome -- Selamat Datai

How are you? -- Bakani gaya kitak?

My name is... -- Nama Aku

Where are you from? -- Dik datai ‘ari ni?

Good morning -- Selamat pagi

Good bye -- Betemu baru ila

Thank you -- Tabik Basa

I don’t understand -- Aku enda mereti

I don’t know -- Aku enda nemu

The Sound of the Iban language (Numbers, Greetings, Phrases & The Parable)

By having these basic phrases in your pocket, it might be really useful and helpful if you are planning for a trip to Malaysia. This starter pack will definitely help you start a basic and quick conversation. Otherwise, you can always seek help from your best friend - Google translator 😊