Time and days in Malay
Now, later, tomorrow, what time it opens and one moment please. 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
- Sekarangseh-KA-rang
- Now
- NantiNAN-tee
- Later
- Hari iniHA-ree EE-nee
- Today
- Hari esokHA-ree EH-sok
- Tomorrow
- Malam iniMA-lam EE-nee
- Tonight
- Bila?BEE-la
- When?
- Pukul berapa buka?POO-kul be-RA-pa BOO-ka
- What time does it open?
- Sekejap, yase-KE-jap, ya
- One moment, please
- MinitMI-nit
- Minutes
- Jamjam
- Hours
Sekarang means now. Punctuality varies in Malaysia; business meetings start on time, but casual plans may shift. "Sekarang juga" (right now) emphasizes urgency.
Nanti means later or wait. "Jumpa nanti" (see you later). Also used as a casual dismissal: "nanti lah", later lah (the lah particle adds friendliness and ends urgency).
Hari means day. Same pattern: hari esok (tomorrow), hari semalam (yesterday). Precise and literal, no surprises like English.
Esok means next or tomorrow. "Jumpa hari esok" (see you tomorrow). Morning and afternoon are pagi and petang, so hari esok pagi is tomorrow morning.
Literally "a moment, okay".