Basic Words

1. Ya

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic affirmative reply; also works when someone checks something with you

2. Tidak

   Ti-dak

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; say it gently to stay polite

3. Tolong

   To-long

   Please

   Usage

   Add it when asking for something; it also works on its own

4. Terima kasih

   Te-ri-ma ka-sih

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic thank-you when you receive something or get help

5. Tumpang tanya

   Tum-pang ta-nya

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Use to get a stranger's attention or to squeeze past someone

   Grammar Note

   The set phrase for approaching a stranger — literally "may I ask"

6. Minta maaf

   Min-ta ma-af

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology when you are at fault — bumping into someone, making a mistake

7. Tidak mengapa

   Ti-dak me-nga-pa

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both to wave off an apology and to decline help or concern

8. Saya tidak faham

   Sa-ya ti-dak fa-ham

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say this first when the language is not getting through; people will rephrase

9. Saya faham

   Sa-ya fa-ham

   I understand

   Usage

   The reply when you have understood; it also signals agreement

10. Sudah siap

    Su-dah si-ap

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you are done with a meal, a payment, or a procedure

11. Sila tunggu

    Si-la tung-gu

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone to hold on

12. Tunggu sekejap

    Tung-gu se-ke-jap

    Just a moment

    Usage

    For just a few seconds — while you find your wallet or your bag

13. Seorang dewasa

    Se-o-rang de-wa-sa

    One adult, please

    Usage

    At a ticket window or entrance, to state how many people

14. Saya tiada tempahan

    Sa-ya ti-a-da tem-pa-han

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Say this first when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. Saya ada tempahan

    Sa-ya a-da tem-pa-han

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    At the front desk; follow it with your name

16. Tolong saya

    To-long sa-ya

    Please help me

    Usage

    Call for help in an emergency — it is fine to shout this

17. Sila ulang sekali lagi

    Si-la u-lang se-ka-li la-gi

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what they just said

18. Sila cakap perlahan-lahan

    Si-la ca-kap per-la-han-la-han

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When someone speaks too fast; people almost always slow down

19. Saya boleh cakap sedikit

    Sa-ya bo-leh ca-kap se-di-kit

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Keeps the conversation going while lowering expectations

20. Adakah anda boleh berbahasa Inggeris?

    A-da-kah an-da bo-leh ber-ba-ha-sa Ing-ge-ris?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Check for a shared language when you need to discuss something complicated

21. Ini

    I-ni

    This

    Usage

    Point at something near you and call it "this"

22. Itu

    I-tu

    That

    Usage

    Anything not right next to you; Malay has only a two-way ini/itu split, so it covers both "that" and "that over there"

23. Di sini

    Di si-ni

    Here

    Usage

    The place you are standing — for naming a drop-off point or meeting spot

24. Di situ

    Di si-tu

    There (nearby)

    Usage

    A spot near the other person or a little away; for places Malay does have a three-way sini/situ/sana split

25. Di sana

    Di sa-na

    Over there (far)

    Usage

    A place further off — show it while pointing

26. Saya

    Sa-ya

    I / me

    Usage

    The standard first-person word, safe with anyone

27. Anda

    An-da

    You

    Usage

    The polite word for "you"; spoken Malay usually says "awak", but "anda" is the safe choice with strangers and elders

28. Bersama

    Ber-sa-ma

    Together

    Usage

    Say you are going or sitting together; avoid "sama-sama", which means "you're welcome"

29. Sekarang juga

    Se-ka-rang ju-ga

    Right now

    Usage

    Stronger than plain "sekarang" (now) — signals that this cannot wait

30. Seorang

    Se-o-rang

    One person

    Usage

    Give a headcount when a restaurant or counter asks how many

31. Dua orang

    Du-a o-rang

    Two people

    Usage

    Headcount; "orang" is the classifier used for counting people

32. Tiga orang

    Ti-ga o-rang

    Three people

    Usage

    Headcount; the pattern continues as "empat orang", "lima orang", and so on

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