Malaysian Slang Guide: 100 Essential Terms for Authentic Malay Expressions

Malaysia is a cultural melting pot, bringing together Malays, Chinese, Indians, and countless other communities. With such a vibrant mix, it’s no surprise that Malaysian slang is a colorful blend of influences—from Malay and English to Chinese dialects and Tamil. If you’ve ever struggled to understand words like lah, syok, or mamak, you’re in the right place!

This Ultimate Malaysian Slang Guide will walk you through 100 essential terms, helping you not just speak the language but feel the cultural heartbeat behind it. So, whether you’re traveling across Peninsular Malaysia, exploring Sabah and Sarawak, or making friends online, these authentic Malay expressions will let you blend in like a local.

Why Learn Malaysian Slang?

Before we dive headfirst into our 100 must-know words, let’s talk about why learning local slang is so powerful:

• Authentic Connection: Using local lingo instantly endears you to the people you meet, showing respect for their culture.
• Deeper Cultural Insight: Slang often holds layers of meaning tied to local history, humor, and traditions.
• Enhanced Travel Experience: Whether ordering food at a mamak stall or bargaining at a night market, knowing a few slang terms can smooth your journey.
• Fun & Engaging: Slang is playful and creative. It adds color to your conversations and helps you express yourself more naturally.

Ready to get started? Let’s jalan-jalan (take a stroll) through the wonderful world of Malaysian slang!

1. Everyday Greetings & Expressions (1–10)

1. Apa khabar?
   • Meaning: How are you?
   • Why It’s Useful: A friendly opener in any conversation. Drop the formal tone and go casual with “Apa cerita?” among close friends.
2. Lah
   • Meaning: An all-purpose particle added to the end of sentences for emphasis.
   • Example: “Don’t worry lah, we can handle it!”
   • Cultural Insight: Arguably the most iconic Malaysian slang marker.
3. Walao / Aiyoo
   • Meaning: An exclamation of surprise, annoyance, or even delight.
   • Usage: “Walao, so expensive!” or “Aiyoo, why so slow?”
   • Note: Borrowed from Chinese dialects but now common among all Malaysians.
4. Wei / Oi
   • Meaning: “Hey” or “Yo,” used to grab attention.
   • Usage: “Wei, come here for a second!”
   • Tone Check: Keep it casual and lighthearted with friends.
5. Sibuk
   • Meaning: Busy or nosy.
   • Usage: “Kenapa sibuk sangat?” (Why so busy?) or “Jangan sibuk!” (Don’t be nosy!)
   • Pro Tip: Intonation changes the vibe from polite concern to playful teasing.
6. Malu
   • Meaning: Shy or embarrassed.
   • Usage: “Malu lah, I forgot my speech!”
   • Cultural Nuance: Embarrassment plays a big role in social etiquette; you’ll hear this word often.
7. Sikit-sikit
   • Meaning: A little bit.
   • Usage: “I only speak Malay sikit-sikit.”
   • Why It’s Handy: Great for showing you’re learning without overselling your skills.
8. Fuyoh / Fuhh
   • Meaning: A verbal expression of amazement or admiration.
   • Usage: “Fuyoh, that’s a huge durian!”
   • Cultural Quirk: Similar to “wow,” it adds flair to your exclamation.
9. Syok
   • Meaning: Fantastic or enjoyable.
   • Usage: “This nasi lemak is super syok!”
   • Key Insight: Often used to describe food, experiences, or anything pleasing.
10. Tak apa

• Meaning: “It’s okay,” or “Never mind.”
• Usage: “Tak apa, maybe next time.”
• Cultural Aspect: Conveys a laid-back acceptance, very much in the Malaysian spirit.

2. Food-Related Slang (11–20)

Malaysians love their food, and you’ll quickly learn how important cuisine is to local culture. Here are the must-know terms:

11. Makan

• Meaning: To eat.
• Usage: “Jom makan!” (Let’s eat!)
• Universal Word: If you learn only one Malay word, let it be makan.

12. Tapau

• Meaning: Takeaway or “to-go.”
• Usage: “Can I tapau this mee goreng?”
• Life Hack: Essential for those who can’t finish large Malaysian portions.

13. Mamak

• Meaning: A popular 24-hour eatery run predominantly by Indian Muslims.
• Usage: “Meet me at the mamak for teh tarik.”
• Fun Fact: Mamak stalls are iconic, with a unique subculture of late-night hangouts.

14. Teh tarik

• Meaning: “Pulled tea,” the national drink of Malaysia.
• Usage: “Teh tarik satu!” (One teh tarik, please!)
• Must-Try: Sweet, milky tea poured from a height to create foam.

15. Bungkus

• Meaning: Similar to tapau, means “wrapped up” or “pack it to-go.”
• Usage: “Let’s bungkus some nasi lemak for the road.”
• Tip: Don’t confuse it with bungkus meaning “to be defeated” in colloquial usage.

16. Walao Eh, Sedap Giler!

• Meaning: “Wow, this is insanely delicious!”
• Usage: Typically used when tasting heavenly food.
• Combo Term: Mix of exclamation walao plus sedap (“delicious”) plus giler (“crazy”).

17. Susah makan

• Meaning: A picky eater.
• Usage: “He’s susah makan, so he only eats plain rice.”
• Cultural Note: In a foodie nation, being susah makan is considered quite a challenge for hosts!

18. Belanja

• Meaning: To treat someone (often to a meal).
• Usage: “You got a promotion? Belanja lah!”
• Social Etiquette: A fun tradition when celebrating milestones.

19. Tambah

• Meaning: To add more, often used at restaurants.
• Usage: “Boleh tambah sambal?” (Can I have more sambal chili paste?)
• Must-Know: Sambal is life; you’ll likely need that extra kick.

20. Rojak

• Meaning: Literally “mixed,” but also a dish of mixed fruits and vegetables with sweet-spicy sauce.
• Slang Usage: Can describe anything that’s a mish-mash.
• Example: “That song is a bit rojak—English, Malay, a bit of everything!”

3. Expressions of Emphasis (21–30)

These words punch up your sentences and make you sound more Malaysian:

21. Lagi

• Meaning: “More” or “again.”
• Usage: “Lagi sedap” (even more delicious).
• Versatility: Use it to intensify pretty much any adjective.

22. Giler / Gila

• Meaning: “Crazy,” used to emphasize extremes.
• Usage: “That traffic was giler jam, man.”
• Heads-Up: Not polite in formal scenarios, but common among friends.

23. Teruk

• Meaning: Terrible or severe.
• Usage: “Wah, teruk sial traffic hari ni.” (The traffic is terribly bad today.)
• Local Flavor: Often used to show strong disapproval or frustration.

24. Betul-betul

• Meaning: “Really” or “truly.”
• Usage: “Betul-betul best!” (Really awesome!)
• Double Wording: Typical in Malay for added emphasis.

25. Memang

• Meaning: “Indeed,” “truly,” or “definitely.”
• Usage: “Memang susah lah if you try last minute.”
• Key Expression: Conveys certainty.

26. Tak boleh tahan

• Meaning: “Can’t stand it,” or “I can’t take this anymore.”
• Usage: “Tak boleh tahan panas!” (I can’t stand the heat!)
• Cultural Truth: Malaysia is hot and humid—this phrase gets plenty of use!

27. Steady bom pi pi

• Meaning: Playful expression meaning “very steady” or “reliable.”
• Usage: “Don’t worry, he’s steady bom pi pi.”
• Local Quirk: A real crowd-pleaser for comedic effect.

28. Habis

• Meaning: “Finished,” “done,” or “that’s it.”
• Usage: “Habis! No more chicken rice left.”
• Dramatic Flair: Often used to express finality or exasperation.

29. Kantoi

• Meaning: Caught red-handed or exposed.
• Usage: “He tried to skip work but got kantoi by his boss.”
• Social Scenes: A favorite word when describing comedic or embarrassing slip-ups.

30. Pening

• Meaning: Dizzy or “headache.”
• Usage: “Dengar dia cakap pun dah pening.” (Listening to him talk already gives me a headache.)
• Conversational Spice: Also used figuratively for situations that are confusing.

4. Casual Jabs & Teasing (31–40)

Malaysians love teasing as a form of camaraderie. Here’s how to do it right:

31. Kepochi

• Meaning: A busybody or gossip.
• Usage: “That auntie is so kepochi, always asking personal questions.”
• Friend vs. Stranger: Among close friends, it’s a playful tease; can be rude to strangers.

32. Poyo

• Meaning: Pretentious or trying too hard to impress.
• Usage: “He’s so poyo with his new car.”
• Tone Warning: Lighthearted among friends, harsh if said seriously.

33. Sakai

• Meaning: Originally referring to indigenous groups, but in slang, it means “uncivilized” or “out of touch.”
• Usage: “Don’t act sakai, okay?”
• Ethical Note: Can be offensive—use only jokingly with good friends (if at all).

34. Ayam

• Meaning: Literally “chicken,” also slang for a coward.
• Usage: “Don’t be ayam, just ask her out!”
• Humorous Twist: Rarely used in a deeply insulting manner.

35. Muka tembok

• Meaning: “Thick-faced,” or shameless.
• Usage: “He crashed the party without invitation—muka tembok lah.”
• Cultural Insight: Shame is a big deal in Malaysian culture, so muka tembok is quite a put-down.

36. Banyak mulut

• Meaning: Talking too much, or “big mouth.”
• Usage: “Don’t believe him; dia banyak mulut je.”
• Friendship Banter: Usually said with a laugh, but can be serious if used in anger.

37. Perasan

• Meaning: Being full of oneself, or thinking you’re all that.
• Usage: “She thinks everyone likes her—perasan betul.”
• Watch the Context: A mild jab among close circles.

38. Buat lawak

• Meaning: Cracking jokes or “making fun.”
• Usage: “Stop buat lawak, I’m serious!”
• Social Glue: Malaysians love comedic relief in conversation.

39. Sempoi

• Meaning: Cool, chill, or easygoing.
• Usage: “He’s so sempoi, no drama at all.”
• Positive Vibe: Great compliment for someone laid-back.

40. Tumpang glamour

• Meaning: Someone riding on another person’s fame or moment.
• Usage: “She only joined because the influencer is there—nak tumpang glamour.”
• Contemporary Usage: Applies to social media scenarios, too.

5. Tech & Modern Terms (41–50)

From social media to daily life, these terms keep you in the loop:

41. PM tepi

• Meaning: “Private message on the side,” telling someone to DM you privately.
• Usage: Common in online forums or group chats.
• Popularity: Reflects the texting culture in Malaysia.

42. Like gila

• Meaning: “Like crazy,” often referencing social media likes.
• Usage: “That post got like gila in one hour!”
• English-Malay Fusion: A typical mash-up showing Malaysians’ bilingual flair.

43. Influencer konon

• Meaning: “So-called influencer,” mocking someone trying too hard to be popular online.
• Usage: “She posted 20 selfies today—influencer konon.”
• Light Sarcasm: Best used among close friends.

44. Viral

• Meaning: The same as in English, “viral” or trending.
• Usage: “Did you watch that viral video of the cat dancing?”
• Global Term: Malaysian usage remains closely aligned with international meaning.

45. Up sikit

• Meaning: “Step it up” or “upgrade a bit.”
• Usage: “Your phone is outdated—up sikit lah.”
• Life Hack: Encourages improvements in any aspect of life.

46. Balik kampung mode

• Meaning: Taking a break from the city to go back to one’s hometown.
• Usage: “I’m in balik kampung mode for Raya—no phone calls!”
• Cultural Relevance: Major phenomenon during festive seasons.

47. Hashtag

• Meaning: Just like in English, used to highlight trends.
• Usage: “Hashtag #foodporn in your Instagram post.”
• Social Media Scene: Big among urban Malaysians.

48. Troll

• Meaning: To provoke or tease someone online, same as global internet slang.
• Usage: “Don’t take him seriously, he’s just trolling.”
• Digital Culture: Very common in Malaysian social media banter.

49. Blur

• Meaning: Confused or clueless (English word repurposed into Malay slang).
• Usage: “I’m so blur, I forgot my car keys.”
• Local Twist: You’ll hear “blur sotong” (blur like a squid) for extra emphasis.

50. FYP

• Meaning: “For You Page,” referencing TikTok’s algorithm feed.
• Usage: “My video got on FYP, finally trending!”
• Modern Relevance: Showcases the rapid adoption of global social lingo.

6. Emotions & Reactions (51–60)

51. Geram

• Meaning: Annoyed, exasperated, or even “grrr” frustrated.
• Usage: “Geram betul bila traffic jam!” (So annoyed at the traffic jam!)
• Intensity: Often accompanied by a playful scowl or comedic aggression.

52. Sayang

• Meaning: “Love,” or a term of endearment like “dear.”
• Usage: “Sayang, you want more rice?”
• Romantic & Platonic: Also used for children or close friends.

53. Tersentuh

• Meaning: “Touched emotionally.”
• Usage: “I was tersentuh by that charity video.”
• Cultural Note: Malaysians appreciate heartfelt gestures; this term is well-used.

54. Sedih

• Meaning: Sad.
• Usage: “Rasa sedih lah, my favorite shop closed down.”
• Quick Insight: You’ll also hear “mood down,” mixing English and Malay.

55. Terkejut

• Meaning: Shocked or surprised.
• Usage: “Terkejut tengok harga!” (Shocked at the price!)
• All-Purpose Reaction: Common in everyday expressions of surprise.

56. Jeles

• Meaning: Jealous, adapted from English.
• Usage: “Wah, you got a new phone? Jeles lah.”
• Spelling Variation: Sometimes spelled “jelez” for style.

57. Cuak

• Meaning: Fearful or anxious.
• Usage: “Cuak tengok final exam questions.”
• Exam Season Staple: You’ll hear students say this a lot.

58. Puji

• Meaning: To compliment or praise.
• Usage: “Don’t simply puji me, I’m shy!”
• Cultural Politeness: Malaysians tend to be modest about compliments.

59. Terkilan

• Meaning: Disappointed or regretful.
• Usage: “I feel terkilan I didn’t get the job.”
• Depth of Feeling: Conveys a sense of emotional letdown.

60. Terharu

• Meaning: Deeply moved, often to tears.
• Usage: “Terharu sangat bila family datang support.”
• Emotional Weight: A more profound feeling than simple gratitude.

7. Travel & Directions (61–70)

61. Jalan-jalan

• Meaning: Strolling or hanging out.
• Usage: “Let’s jalan-jalan around KL this weekend.”
• Tourist Must-Use: Perfect for describing casual sightseeing.

62. Sesat

• Meaning: Lost.
• Usage: “We’re sesat la, check Google Maps!”
• Pro Tip: Common phrase for both literal and figurative confusion.

63. Tepi

• Meaning: “Side.”
• Usage: “Park tepi, I want to buy something.”
• Driving Slang: You’ll hear it from helpful passersby: “Tepi sikit!”

64. Naik / Turun

• Meaning: “Go up” / “go down.”
• Usage: “Naik tangga” (climb the stairs) or “Turun kereta” (get out of the car).
• Everyday Navigation: Also used for buses, trains, etc.

65. Shortcut

• Meaning: Same as in English, a quicker route.
• Usage: “Ambil shortcut ni, faster.”
• Literal & Figurative: Could refer to problem-solving too.

66. Singgah

• Meaning: To stop by briefly.
• Usage: “Let’s singgah at the petrol station before heading home.”
• Road Trip Culture: Handy for short breaks along highways.

67. Masuk simpang

• Meaning: “Turn into the junction.”
• Usage: “Masuk simpang kiri, then straight ahead.”
• Directional Must: You’ll definitely need this in rural areas.

68. Ta pau carpark

• Meaning: Tongue-in-cheek phrase for “occupied parking space.”
• Usage: “That driver just ta pau carpark with a tissue box!”
• Kiasu Behavior Borrowed from Singapore: Rare but used humorously in Malaysia too.

69. Lekas

• Meaning: Quickly or hurry up.
• Usage: “Lekas sikit, we’re late!”
• Local Variation: Similar to “cepat” but more colloquial in feel.

70. Sesak

• Meaning: Congested, used for traffic or crowds.
• Usage: “City center is sesak on Friday evenings.”
• Urban Reality: You’ll use it often in KL or Penang.

8. Relationship Lingo (71–80)

71. Balak / Awek

• Meaning: Boyfriend (balak) / girlfriend (awek).
• Usage: “That’s his awek, they’ve been dating for a year.”
• Colloquial Terms: Not formal, so use them in casual settings.

72. Couple-couple

• Meaning: Dating or referring to a couple.
• Usage: “They always hang out together, sure couple-couple lah.”
• English-Malay Hybrid: Reflects the bilingual culture.

73. Suami / Isteri

• Meaning: Husband / wife.
• Formal vs. Slang: These are standard Malay but used daily, so keep them in mind.

74. Tunang

• Meaning: Fiancé / fiancée.
• Cultural Note: Engagements can be significant events in Malay families.

75. BFF / Geng

• Meaning: Best friend forever / clique or close group.
• Usage: “Going mamak with my geng.”
• Social Circles: People value tight-knit friend groups.

76. Merajuk

• Meaning: Sulking, especially in a relationship.
• Usage: “He merajuk because she teased him too much.”
• Cultural Quirk: A common scenario in Malaysian dramas and real life.

77. Jiwang

• Meaning: Romantic or sappy.
• Usage: “That love letter is so jiwang.”
• Contextual Use: Often teased for being overly sentimental.

78. Gedik

• Meaning: Flirty or overly coquettish.
• Usage: “She’s gedik with her boyfriend in public.”
• Tone Indicator: Tends to have a negative or teasing connotation.

79. Kongsi gelap

• Meaning: Literally “secret society,” but used jokingly for a tight-knit group that does everything together.
• Usage: “Our kongsi gelap is going on holiday.”
• Fun Twist: Absolutely no criminal implications in casual usage!

80. Main kayu tiga

• Meaning: Cheating on a partner.
• Usage: “He’s main kayu tiga behind her back—so scandalous!”
• Moral Judgment: Considered a big no-no.

9. Work & Studies (81–90)

81. Balik awal

• Meaning: Going home early from work or school.
• Usage: “Can I balik awal? I’ve finished all my tasks.”
• Office Culture: Sometimes frowned upon, so use carefully.

82. Buat bodoh

• Meaning: Pretend to be ignorant or do nothing.
• Usage: “Don’t buat bodoh when the boss asks questions.”
• Subtle Insult: Can imply laziness or evading responsibility.

83. Kerja gila

• Meaning: Insane workload or a crazy job.
• Usage: “Deadline tomorrow? Ni kerja gila.”
• Emphasis on Stress: Reflects how overworked many office workers feel.

84. Kantoi ponteng

• Meaning: Caught skipping work or class.
• Usage: “He kantoi ponteng when the boss checked his timesheet.”
• Playful or Serious?: Could be a big deal in stricter environments.

85. Meeting lompat-lompat

• Meaning: Hopping from one meeting to another.
• Usage: “Busy giler with meeting lompat-lompat today.”
• Real-World Scenario: Common in corporate hubs like KL.

86. Study last minute

• Meaning: Cramming right before an exam.
• Usage: “I always study last minute—don’t follow my bad example.”
• Universal Student Habit: But especially recognized in Malaysian academic culture.

87. Tutup kedai

• Meaning: Close shop, or figuratively “done for the day.”
• Usage: “Time to tutup kedai, let’s head home.”
• End-of-Day Relief: Common among small businesses.

88. Blur during exam

• Meaning: Going blank or confused during a test.
• Usage: “I studied, but still blur during exam.”
• Relatable Struggle: Many students know this feeling all too well.

89. Kuli batak

• Meaning: Overworked underling or “slave labor.”
• Usage: “I feel like kuli batak, working round the clock.”
• Exaggerated Humor: Not meant as a literal insult but reflects frustration.

90. Balik kerja mode

• Meaning: State of mind right after finishing work.
• Usage: “On Fridays, I’m in balik kerja mode—time to lepak!”
• Leisure Indicator: Freed from office shackles, let the weekend begin!

10. Bonus & Cultural Phrases (91–100)

91. Tunggu jap

• Meaning: “Wait a moment.”
• Usage: “Tunggu jap, I need to pick up this call.”
• Casual Tone: Friends typically say this to each other.

92. Biar betul

• Meaning: “Are you serious?” or “You must be joking!”
• Usage: “Biar betul? RM50 for a plate of mee goreng?!”
• Emotional Reaction: Conveys disbelief.

93. Tak payah

• Meaning: “No need” or “Don’t bother.”
• Usage: “Tak payah buy anything, I’m not hungry.”
• Polite Dismissal: Softens a refusal.

94. Pandai

• Meaning: Smart or clever.
• Usage: “Wah, you so pandai solve the puzzle!”
• Compliment Factor: Widely used among all age groups.

95. Sempoi giler

• Meaning: Extremely cool or relaxed.
• Usage: “His style is sempoi giler, so effortless.”
• Double Emphasis: Combining sempoi with giler magnifies the compliment.

96. On the way

• Meaning: Same as in English, but commonly used in Malay contexts.
• Usage: “I’m on the way, 5 minutes more.”
• Cultural Note: Might actually mean 15 minutes or more—Malaysian timing can be flexible!

97. Tabiat

• Meaning: Habit or characteristic behavior.
• Usage: “Makan lambat-lambat is his tabiat.”
• Personality Indicator: Often used for quirky personal habits.

98. Jangan main-main

• Meaning: “Don’t play around” or “Don’t mess with me.”
• Usage: “Jangan main-main, this is serious business.”
• Serious Warning: Tone can shift from playful to stern.

99. Terbaik

• Meaning: “The best!”
• Usage: “This char kuey teow is terbaik!”
• One-Word Praise: Quick compliment for something excellent.

100. Chillax

• Meaning: A blend of “chill” and “relax,” widely adopted in Malaysia.
• Usage: “Let’s just chillax at home today.”
• Global Word, Local Flavor: Fits right into the laid-back Malaysian ethos.

Conclusion

You’ve just journeyed through 100 essential Malaysian slang terms, spanning everything from everyday greetings to modern tech-savvy phrases. Armed with these expressions, you’re ready to blend into local conversations, navigate Malaysian streets with ease, and impress your new buddies at the mamak stall.

Key Takeaways:

• Context matters: Some words are perfectly friendly among peers but can be disrespectful in formal settings.
• Keep it light: Malaysians love humor, so don’t be afraid to use these terms playfully—just be mindful of your tone.
• Practice makes perfect: Try out new phrases, and locals will often appreciate your effort with a warm smile and maybe even more slang tips!

Ready to explore Malaysia in person? Check out Tourism Malaysia for travel inspiration, cultural highlights, and the latest events.

Have a favorite slang word or discovered something new during your travels? Share your experience in the comments, subscribe for more language guides, and pass this along to friends who’d love a taste of Malaysian culture!

Selamat maju jaya (all the best) on your quest to speak like a true local! And remember—if in doubt, just chillax and makan. You’ll fit right in.

See Also: Pakistani Slang Guide: 100 Essential Terms to Sound Like a Local