Help and emergencies in Malay
The words you hope to never need. 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 10 Malay phrases in this lesson
- Tolong saya!TO-long SA-ya
- Help!
- Panggil doktorPANG-gil DOK-tor
- Call a doctor
- PolisPO-lis
- Police
- Farmasifar-MA-see
- Pharmacy
- Hospitalhos-pee-TAL
- Hospital
- Saya tersesatSA-ya ter-seh-SAT
- I'm lost
- Saya tidak sihatSA-ya tee-DAHK see-HAT
- I don't feel well
- Ia telah dicuriee-AH teh-LAH dee-KOO-ree
- It was stolen
- Ini kecemasanEE-nee ke-che-MA-san
- It's an emergency
- Jangan ganggu sayaJA-ngan GANG-goo SA-ya
- Leave me alone
Literally "help me!". The emergency number is 999.
Panggil means to call. Emergency number is 999. In Malaysia, hospitals are well-equipped in cities; private hospitals cost more but are efficient. Ask for an ambulance (ambulans) if movement is risky.
Non-emergency is 103. Malaysian police speak English in cities. Petty theft is uncommon; your most likely report is a lost passport or motorbike accident.
Look for the green cross sign or word Farmasi. Abundant in malls and shopping centers. Pharmacists speak English and advise readily on basic ailments. Painkillers and cold meds are sold without prescription.
Pronounced identically to English. Government hospitals are cheap and basic; private hospitals are modern and expensive. Emergency treatment is available 24/7 in any city, though waits can be long.
Tersesat means to be lost. Malaysians will help instantly, usually in English. Central Kuala Lumpur is sprawling and navigable only with GPS; being truly lost takes genuine effort.
Sihat means healthy, so tidak sihat is not healthy. Useful at a pharmacy or doctor. Add "perut saya sakit" (my stomach hurts), pointing if needed, for a complete medical history.
Dicuri means to be stolen (passive voice). Combine: "Motorbike saya dicuri" (my motorbike was stolen), statistically more likely in Malaysian cities than phones. Report to police for the insurance document.
Literally "don't bother me".