Halo
'Hello' in Malay
Photo by Chander Mohan
Language
Malay
Austronesian Family
Left to Right Script
Non-Gendered Language
Bahasa Melayu, or Malay, is an Austronesian language spoken by over 77 million people, primarily in Malaysia, Indonesia (dialect), Brunei, Singapore, and southern Thailand. It uses the Latin alphabet (Rumi) in Malaysia and Brunei, though the Arabic-based Jawi script is also used in some contexts. Known for its straightforward grammar, Malay lacks complex verb conjugations and has a simple plural system (often reduplication). Its vocabulary is enriched by loanwords from Arabic, Sanskrit, Persian, Portuguese, Dutch, and English due to trade and colonial history. As the official language of Malaysia and Brunei, and a national language in Singapore, it plays a key role in Southeast Asian culture and communication.
Flashcards
MSA
Noun
170
keluarga
family
A group of related individuals forming a household; the basic social unit consisting of parents and their children.
MSA
Verb
166
menjadi
become
To begin to be; to grow into a state.
MSA
Noun
1971
hidung
nose
The external organ on the face that contains the nostrils and is used for smelling and breathing.
MSA
Adverb
110
bahkan
even
Used to emphasize something surprising or extreme.
Agents
Malay
Farah
Studying Malay literature
Female
22
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Student
Friendly
cooking, reading, biking
Malay
Rahman
Teaching Malay phrases in Kuala Lumpur
Male
32
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Language teacher
Approachable
cooking, hiking, photography
Malay
Aisha
Meeting clients at Petronas Towers
Female
36
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Businesswoman
Sociable
shopping, cooking, traveling
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