The National Language is Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) but English is widely spoken, being a compulsory subject in schools and the main Primary 6, Lower Secondary and the local version of `O' Level examinations.
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Other major languages used are Chinese and Tamil. The government has also been encouraging the frontliners of hotels and tourism-related business people to learn other international languages.
Some useful words in Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) for you to get started:
The vowels in Malay are as:
The vowel sounds in Malay are: Consonants “c” is pronounced “ch” as in “chin”, “sy” is |
Here are some common Malay words and phrases to get you started:
| English | Malay |
| Numbers | |
| One | Satu |
| Two | Dua |
| Three | Tiga |
| Four | Empat |
| Five | Lima |
| Six | Enam |
| Seven | Tujuh |
| Eight | Lapan |
| Nine | Sembilan |
| Ten | Sepuluh |
| Common Phrases | |
| Hello | Satu |
| Goodbye | Selamat Jalan |
| Please | Tolong |
| Thank you | Terima Kasih |
| I am sorry | Saya minta maaf |
| What is your name? | Siapa nama awak? |
| My name is... | Nama saya... |
| How are you? | Apa khabar? |
| Fine | Baik |
| Male | Lelaki |
| Female | Perempuan |
| Friend | Kawan |
| I don't understand | Saya tidak faham |
| Toilet | Tandas |
| How much? | Berapa? |
| Food | |
| Eat | Makan |
| Rice | Nasi |
| Noodles | Mee |
| Not too spicy | Jangan pedas |
| Chicken | Ayam |
| Beef | Daging Lembu |
| Water | Air |
| Drinking Water | Air minuman |
| Time | |
| Good morning | Selamat pagi |
| Good afternoon | Selamat tengahari |
| Good evening | Selamat petang |
| Good night | Selamat malam |
| Days of week | |
| Sunday | Ahad |
| Monday | Isnin |
| Tuesday | Selasa |
| Wednesday | Rabu |
| Thursday | Khamis |
| Friday | Jumaat |
| Saturday | Sabtu |
| Geographic Features | |
| Hill | Bukit |
| Lake | Tasik |
| Mountain | Gunung |
| River | Sungai |
| Village | Kampung |
| Valley | Lembah |
| Waterfall | Air terjun |
| Beach | Pantai |
| Island | Pulau |
| Sea | Laut |
| Traffic Phrases | |
| Turn left | Belok kiri |
| Turn right | Belok kanan |
| Straight ahead | Berjalan terus |
| Intersection | Simpang |
| Bus | Bas |
| Car | Kereta |
| Taxi | Teksi |
| Entry | Masuk |
| Exit | Keluar |
| Open | Buka |
| Road | Jalan |
| Lane | Lorong |
| Highway | Lebuhraya |
| North | Utara |
| South | Selatan |
| East | Timur |
| West | Barat |
| Caution | Awas |
| Stop | Berhenti |
| Give way | Beri laluan |
| Ahead | Di hadapan |
| No overtaking | Dilarang memotong |
| Speed limit | Had laju |
| Keep right | Ikut kanan |
| Keep left | Ikut kiri |
| One-way street | Jalan sehala |
| Slow down | Kurangkan laju |
| Detour | Lencongan |
| Sharp bends | Likung tajam |
| Keep left unless overtaking | Ikut kiri kecuali memotong |
( Source : http://mm2h.com )
