Greetings and politeness in Malay
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Malay words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Malay phrases in this lesson
- HeloHEH-lo
- Hello
- Selamat pagise-LA-mat PA-gee
- Good morning
- Selamat malamse-LA-mat MA-lam
- Good evening
- Selamat tinggalse-LA-mat TING-gal
- Goodbye
- Jumpa lagiJOOM-pah LAH-gee
- See you
- TolongTO-long
- Please
- Terima kasihte-REE-ma KA-sih
- Thank you
- Sama-samaSA-ma-SA-ma
- You're welcome
- Minta maafMIN-ta MA-af
- Sorry
- Tumpang laluTUM-pang LA-loo
- Excuse me
- Gembira berjumpa dengan andagem-BEE-ra ber-JUM-pa de-NGAN AN-da
- Nice to meet you
Direct and casual, mostly used among friends or in informal settings. Borrowed from English, it is understood everywhere in Malaysia but less formal than Selamat.
The "Selamat" prefix means safety or peace, setting the tone for Malay greetings. Used until around 11 am, after which you switch to Selamat tengah hari (good afternoon).
Used from dusk, on arrival and parting. "Selamat petang" covers the afternoon.
The formal goodbye, literally "peace stay". Said by the person leaving. If you are staying, say "Selamat jalan" (peace go) to the person departing. Friends often just say "Bye" or "Jumpa lagi" (see you again).
Literally "meet again", the everyday goodbye. Selamat tinggal is formal and sounds final.
Literally "help" or "assist". Used to frame requests as asking for assistance rather than demanding. "Tolong beri saya" (help give me) is how Malaysians politely order, making every request sound collaborative.
The workhorse thank you for any situation. Literally "receive thanks". Works for small and large kindnesses; Malaysians say this constantly throughout daily interactions.
Literally "same-same", implying the pleasure is mutual. The reduplication is typical Malay style. Also conveys "it is nothing" or "do not mention it", minimizing the favor graciously.
Literally "I ask forgiveness", the real apology. "Maaf" alone is the quick one.
Literally "let me pass through", said while squeezing past.
Literally "happy to meet you".