Greetings

1. Selamat pagi

   Se-la-mat pa-gi

   Hello / Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting used in Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore

   Grammar Note

   "Selamat" comes from Arabic "salama". Greetings vary: "selamat siang" (midday), "selamat petang" (afternoon), "selamat malam" (evening).

2. Terima kasih

   Te-ri-ma ka-sih

   Thank you

   Usage

   Standard expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   Literally "receive love". Identical in Indonesian. The reply is "sama-sama" (you're welcome).

3. Tolong

   To-long

   Please / Help

   Usage

   Used when requesting help or making a polite request

   Grammar Note

   "Tolong" means "help" in both Malay and Indonesian, and is also used as a polite request marker.

4. Apa khabar?

   A-pa kha-bar?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Greeting asking about someone's wellbeing

   Grammar Note

   Literally "what news?". Reply: "Baik, terima kasih" (Fine, thank you). "Khabar" is from Arabic.

5. Selamat tinggal

   Se-la-mat ting-gal

   Goodbye (said by person leaving)

   Usage

   Said by the person leaving to those staying

   Grammar Note

   Literally "stay safely". Those staying reply "Selamat jalan" (have a safe journey). The directions are reversed.

6. Maaf

   Ma-af

   Sorry / Excuse me

   Usage

   Used for apology or getting someone's attention

   Grammar Note

   Borrowed from Arabic "ma'af". "Minta maaf" (I beg pardon) is a more formal apology.

7. Sama-sama

   Sa-ma-sa-ma

   You're welcome

   Usage

   Standard reply to "terima kasih" (thank you)

   Grammar Note

   Malay reduplication expresses mutuality or plurality. "Sama" (same) doubled means "mutually/each other".

8. Selamat datang

   Se-la-mat da-tang

   Welcome

   Usage

   Welcoming a guest or visitor

   Grammar Note

   "Selamat + verb" creates greetings for many contexts: "selamat datang" (welcome), "selamat makan" (enjoy your meal).

9. Saya tidak faham

   Sa-ya ti-dak fa-ham

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Essential phrase when communication breaks down

   Grammar Note

   "Faham" is from Arabic. Pair with "Boleh cakap perlahan-lahan?" (Can you speak more slowly?).

10. Selamat malam

    Se-la-mat ma-lam

    Good evening / Good night

    Usage

    Evening greeting, also used as goodbye at night

    Grammar Note

    Time-based greetings in Malay: pagi (morning), siang (midday), petang (afternoon), malam (evening/night).

11. Di mana tandas?

    Di ma-na tan-das?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Used to ask where the toilet is

    Grammar Note

    "Tandas" is the standard Malay word for toilet. "Bilik air" (water room) is also common in shopping centres. "Di mana" is the location question word

12. Saya tidak boleh bertutur dalam Bahasa Melayu

    Sa-ya ti-dak bo-leh ber-tu-tur da-lam Ba-ha-sa Me-la-yu

    I can't speak Malay

    Usage

    Used to let someone know you cannot speak Malay

    Grammar Note

    "Tidak boleh + verb" = cannot. "Bertutur" is formal "speak" with "ber-" prefix. Colloquially: "Saya tak tahu cakap Melayu"

13. Saya akan datang lagi

    Sa-ya a-kan da-tang la-gi

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

14. Saya sangat seronok tadi

    Sa-ya sa-ngat se-ro-nok ta-di

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting ways

15. Terima kasih, jumpa lagi

    Te-ri-ma ka-sih, jum-pa la-gi

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

16. Selamat tidur

    Se-la-mat ti-dur

    Good night

    Usage

    Said specifically before going to sleep, distinct from the general evening greeting "Selamat malam"

17. Saya keluar dulu ya

    Sa-ya ke-lu-ar du-lu ya

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving the guesthouse

18. Saya sudah balik

    Sa-ya su-dah ba-lik

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said when returning to the guesthouse

19. Saya minta diri dulu

    Sa-ya min-ta di-ri du-lu

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    Said when leaving before others, e.g. at a meal (literally "I ask permission to leave first")

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