Top 9 Malaysian Phrases – Speak like a local!

What will you say when you want to thank your Uber driver or the person who showed you directions when in Malaysia? Thank You in Malay is 'Terima Kasih'! Malaysians admire the grateful people, so you will need this phrase for sure.

When someone says thank you, you should promptly come up with 'you're welcome'. If someone thanks you in Malay, quip 'Sama-Sama' in response. If you just want it to be short and sweet, 'Sama' will also be enough.

No matter where you travel to, yes and no will be two words that you should know to speak in the local language. Yes in Malay is 'Ya' and no is 'tidak'. It's too easy and you won't forget them at all.

When leaving your hotel in Bukit Bintang after spending a great holiday, you may say bye to the staff, and they all will understand it. But, if you are at a business meeting with a bunch of local professionals at The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel, why not try and bid them farewell by simply saying 'Selamat Jalan'- which is a formal way of saying goodbye in Malaysia and they are sure to be impressed!

It's normal not to understand a local language when you are in a foreign destination. Most Malaysians are good in their English, but a few elderly folks will not be able to communicate with you. So, when someone comes to you telling Malaysian phrases, you just need to gently say 'Saya tak faham', which means 'I don't understand'.

You may follow the signboards when you want to go to the bathroom in a shopping mall, café, or restaurant. But, the local coffee shops will not always have them. Don't feel embarrassed to ask 'di mana tandas?' at such a moment. They will show you the directions to the bathroom.

Malaysia is also a great shopping destination. It's not always about high-end shopping at super luxury malls, but also shopping in street markets and at boutique shops. So, when asking prices, you may say 'berapa?' which means how much is this? This way, you may start your negotiating process in style.

Admiring the beauty of someone else or something else never goes out of style. Just say 'cantik nya' when you see something beautiful.

This is how you make new friends when in Malaysia. 'How do you do?' or 'how are you?' may be your way of starting a conversation, but in Malaysia, things are quite different. Ask if they've eaten even if it's not a mealtime! Just ask 'dah makan?' and see how the locals become friends with you.