Masuk
Entrance
Usage
Displayed at the entrance of buildings, stations, and facilities; doors are often labelled "PINTU MASUK"
Keluar
Exit
Usage
Exit sign on buildings, stations, and facilities; in Malaysia a green-and-white "KELUAR" is specifically the emergency exit, so check the colour
Pintu kecemasan
Emergency Exit
Usage
Emergency exit sign; in practice the green running-man plate often just reads "KELUAR", and passages are marked "LALUAN KECEMASAN"
Buka
Open (door sign)
Usage
The word on a shop door's "OPEN" flip sign; the same word is the verb "to open", but on a sign it means the shop is open
Tutup
Closed (door sign)
Usage
The word on a shop door's "CLOSED" flip sign, distinct from "tutup sementara" (temporarily closed)
Sedang buka
Currently Open
Usage
Signage stating a bank, money changer, or restaurant is open right now; also seen as "buka 24 jam" (open 24 hours) and "waktu operasi" (opening hours)
Tutup sementara
Temporarily Closed
Usage
Malay has no exact equivalent of Japanese "junbichuu" — this is the closest sign; a shop on break may post "rehat", and many close with "tutup untuk solat Jumaat" during Friday prayers
Lelaki
Men
Usage
Marks the men's entrance, typically restrooms signed "TANDAS LELAKI"; Indonesian "pria" is not used on Malaysian signage
Wanita
Women
Usage
Marks the women's entrance, typically restrooms signed "TANDAS WANITA"; sometimes written "perempuan"
Dilarang masuk
No Entry
Usage
Posted on doors or areas restricted to authorized people; also seen as "kawasan larangan" (restricted area)
Dilarang merokok
No Smoking
Usage
No-smoking sign indoors and in eateries; smoking is banned at all Malaysian restaurants, so "kawasan larangan merokok" (no-smoking zone) is common
Kawasan merokok
Smoking Area
Usage
Marks a designated smoking area at airports and stations; often posted in English as "SMOKING AREA"
Tangga
Stairs
Usage
Directional sign for stairs in stations and buildings; an escalator is "eskalator" in Malaysia, not Indonesian "tangga berjalan"
Tolak
Push
Usage
Sign on a door meaning push; Malaysian doors say "TOLAK", not Indonesian "dorong" — the same word means "to reject/subtract" in Indonesian
Tarik
Pull
Usage
Sign on a door indicating it should be pulled to open
Sedang dalam pembinaan
Under Construction / Works in Progress
Usage
Posted where a site or passage is under construction; road works read "kerja jalan sedang dijalankan" and shops being refitted "sedang diubah suai"
Rosak
Out of Order
Usage
Posted on broken lifts, ATMs, vending machines, or restroom stalls; also "maaf, rosak" (sorry, out of order) or "tidak berfungsi" — spelled differently from Indonesian "rusak"
More Malay phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
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- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
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- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
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- Visa & Immigration
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- School & Education
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- Music & Entertainment
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- Dating Apps
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- Time & Dates
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- Remote Work
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- Convenience Store
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- Body Parts
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- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences