Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures, and its national language, Malay — or Bahasa Melayu — is spoken by roughly 58% of the population.
English is widely understood in cities, and you'll hear Mandarin, Tamil, and a dozen dialects along the way. But learning a handful of Malay phrases is still one of the fastest ways to connect with locals and navigate your travels with confidence.
You don't need to become fluent. Here are 25 phrases, grouped by the situations you'll actually run into.
5 Malay phrases for greetings
Selamat pagi. Apa khabar?
Good morning. How are you?
A friendly opener for the locals you meet on your first day in Malaysia.
Selamat petang
Good evening.
Used from around 2:00 PM until roughly 7:00 PM.
Terima kasih atas bantuan anda
Thank you for your help.
For when someone has given you directions or gone out of their way to help.
Sama-sama
You're welcome.
The standard reply when someone thanks you — it literally means "same to you".
Jumpa lagi
See you again.
A warm goodbye when leaving a shop or restaurant. Add "selamat jalan" — have a safe journey — if the other person is the one heading off.
5 Malay phrases for ordering food
Boleh saya lihat menu?
May I see the menu?
Add "menu dalam Bahasa Inggeris" if you'd like the English version.
Boleh saya minta air kosong?
Could I have a glass of plain water?
Essential in Malaysia's heat. Ask for "ais kosong" if you want it iced.
Saya ingin order … dan …
I would like to order … and …
A polite way to place your order — for example, "nasi lemak dan ais kosong".
Makanan ini sangat sedap!
This food is really delicious!
Malaysians take real pride in their food, and this one always lands well with the cook.
Boleh saya dapatkan bil?
Could I have the bill?
For when you're ready to pay at a restaurant or café.
5 Malay phrases for shopping
Berapa harga barang ini?
How much is this item?
Your go-to at markets, souvenir shops, and boutiques.
Boleh kurangkan harga sedikit?
Could you lower the price a little?
Bargaining is expected at street markets — though not in shopping malls.
Ada saiz lain?
Do you have another size?
Useful when you're shopping for clothing or footwear.
Boleh saya bayar dengan kad?
Can I pay by card?
Worth confirming before you reach the counter — plenty of smaller stalls are cash-only.
Boleh saya dapatkan resit?
May I have the receipt?
Handy for tracking your spending or claiming travel expenses later.
5 Malay phrases to ask for directions
Maaf, boleh saya tanya satu soalan?
Excuse me, may I ask a question?
A polite way to get someone's attention before asking for help.
Di mana tandas yang paling dekat?
Where is the nearest restroom?
Practical in malls, at attractions, and around public transport hubs.
Di mana stesen bas atau stesen kereta api yang paling dekat?
Where is the nearest bus or train station?
Malaysia's public transport network takes a little getting used to — this one helps.
Saya sesat. Boleh tunjukkan jalan?
I'm lost. Could you show me the way?
No shame in it. Malaysians are generally very happy to point you in the right direction.
Berapa lama perjalanan ke sana?
How long does it take to get there?
Ask a taxi driver or a local how long the trip takes by different modes of transport.
5 Malay phrases for everyday conversations
Saya tidak faham. Boleh cakap perlahan-lahan?
I don't understand. Could you speak more slowly?
The single most useful phrase on this list when a conversation gets away from you.
Boleh tolong ambilkan gambar saya?
Could you please take a photo of me?
Swap "saya" for "kami" if you're asking for a group photo.
Ada Wi-Fi di sini?
Is there Wi-Fi here?
Most restaurants, cafés, and hotels have it — this is how you ask.
Saya alah kepada…
I'm allergic to…
Important to know if you have food allergies. Say it clearly to your server or the stall vendor.
Boleh tolong panggil teksi?
Can you help me call a taxi?
For the times when Grab isn't available or there's no signal.
A few words go a long way
You won't be holding full conversations after this, and that's fine. What these 25 phrases do is signal that you've made an effort — and in Malaysia, that usually gets you a warmer welcome, a better price, and the occasional recommendation you'd never have found on your own.
