Animals

1. Anjing

   Dog

   Usage

   Many Malay Muslims treat dogs as ritually unclean, so raise the subject with care. "Digigit anjing" means "bitten by a dog"

2. Kucing

   Cat

   Usage

   Cats are widely loved in Malaysia and make an easy conversation starter. Kuching in Sarawak is said to be named after the word

3. Burung

   Bird

   Usage

   Birds in general — useful at KL Bird Park or birdwatching in Taman Negara

4. Ikan

   Fish

   Usage

   Works for ordering and for snorkelling talk. "Ikan bakar" is grilled fish

5. Kuda

   Horse

   Usage

   For horse riding or talk about the racecourse

6. Lembu

   Cow

   Usage

   Beef is "daging lembu". Indonesian uses "sapi" instead — not the same word

7. Kerbau

   Water buffalo

   Usage

   Seen in the rice country of Kedah and Kelantan. "Daging kerbau" is buffalo meat

8. Babi

   Pig

   Usage

   Not a word to say aloud to a Muslim. To check food, ask "halal?" rather than "ada babi?". In Chinese-Malaysian eateries the word is used freely

9. Ayam

   Chicken

   Usage

   Constantly useful. "Nasi ayam" is Hainanese chicken rice

10. Itik

    Duck

    Usage

    Malaysia says "itik" for a duck; Indonesian uses "bebek"

11. Kambing

    Goat

    Usage

    "Sup kambing" is a mamak-stall staple — use the word to check what is in a dish

12. Biri-biri

    Sheep

    Usage

    The Malaysian word; Indonesian uses a completely different one, "domba"

13. Gajah

    Elephant

    Usage

    Comes up around the elephant sanctuary at Kuala Gandah in Pahang

14. Monyet

    Monkey

    Usage

    At Batu Caves and Penang Hill they snatch food and bags — never show food. Do not aim the word at a person; it is an insult

15. Orang utan

    Orangutan

    Usage

    Seen at the Sepilok and Semenggoh sanctuaries in Borneo. Malaysia usually writes it as two words

16. Harimau

    Tiger

    Usage

    The Malayan tiger appears on the coat of arms, and the national football team is nicknamed "Harimau Malaya"

17. Ular

    Snake

    Usage

    "Digigit ular" means "bitten by a snake" — an emergency phrase. You do meet them on jungle treks

18. Buaya

    Crocodile

    Usage

    A genuine hazard in Borneo rivers, and something guides warn about on mangrove boat tours

19. Biawak

    Monitor lizard

    Usage

    A big lizard seen even in city drains and parks. It avoids people, so just keep your distance

20. Penyu

    Sea turtle

    Usage

    Used at the turtle sanctuaries in Terengganu and Sabah. Land tortoises are "kura-kura"

21. Kura-kura

    Turtle / Tortoise

    Usage

    Freshwater and land turtles; sea turtles get their own word, "penyu"

22. Katak

    Frog

    Usage

    They form a chorus on rainy nights. Chinese-Malaysian restaurants do serve frog

23. Cicak

    House gecko

    Usage

    The little gecko on your hotel wall. Harmless, and it eats the insects — no need to chase it out

24. Tikus

    Rat / Mouse

    Usage

    For reporting a hygiene problem. One word covers rats and mice alike

25. Arnab

    Rabbit

    Usage

    The Malaysian word, borrowed from Arabic. Indonesian uses a completely different one, "kelinci"

26. Kelawar

    Bat

    Usage

    The evening bat exodus at Mulu Caves in Sarawak is famous. Indonesian spells it longer: "kelelawar"

27. Nyamuk

    Mosquito

    Usage

    The one you will use most. "Ada nyamuk" means "there are mosquitoes". Dengue is present, so repellent ("ubat nyamuk") is essential

28. Lipas

    Cockroach

    Usage

    Show it to raise a hygiene problem. Indonesian uses an entirely different word, "kecoa"

29. Semut

    Ant

    Usage

    They find any snack left in the room. Use it to report ants around your bed

30. Lebah

    Bee

    Usage

    Used to report a sting. "Madu" is honey

31. Labah-labah

    Spider

    Usage

    For a spider in your room or a jungle hut. Indonesian spells it "laba-laba"

32. Lipan

    Centipede

    Usage

    The bite hurts badly — show the word at a clinic if you are bitten

33. Rama-rama

    Butterfly

    Usage

    For the butterfly farms in Penang and the Cameron Highlands. Indonesian uses a completely different word, "kupu-kupu"

34. Lalat

    Fly

    Usage

    Used when you are worried about hygiene at a stall or eatery

35. Obor-obor

    Jellyfish

    Usage

    Stings happen off the east coast. Show it to ask for first aid. Indonesian spells it "ubur-ubur"

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