Malaysian slang words
It’s not hard to detect a Malaysian in your vicinity when abroad. Just listen to the way they are speaking – they’ll mix no less than three languages in sentences like a linguistic acrobat, with the occasional lah at the end of each one.
Whether just to see how Malaysian you truly are, or you’re a tourist who wants to blend in with the locals, this list of 35 Malaysian slang words is for you.
1. Lah
What it means: A versatile suffix used for emphasis or to soften a statement.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Why you didn’t come to the party yesterday?
You: I had a bad headache lah.
‘Lah’ can be used in almost any situation.
Image credit: @thesmartlocalmy via Instagram
2. Kiasu
What it means: It is translated from the Hokkien phrase for “fear of losing”. In Malaysian-ese, it is used to refer to an overly competitive person.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Do you want to go to the Apple Store opening?
You: Don’t need to be so kiasu. Let’s wait until there’s no more queues.
Image credit: Apple
3. Gostan
What it means: To reverse, especially in a vehicle. It is said to be derived from the words “Go astern”, meaning to go backward, but has amalgamated into a single word with local flavour.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Can you park there?
You: Sure, let me gostan.
Image via imgflip.com
4. Macha
What it means: Macha is a term used to refer to male friends, derived from the Tamil language.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Hey, macha! How have you been?
You: Good, macha. How about you?
5. Paiseh
What it means: A Hokkien word meaning “shy”. It can also be used to express regret or embarrassment.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Anyone wants the last piece?
You: Don’t so paiseh. Just eat it.
Image credit: Free Food Photos
6. Potong stim
What it means: A Malay phrase that means “to spoil the mood or atmosphere”, which can also be used to describe a person who is a wet blanket or killjoy. It literally means to “cut steam”.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: He was so close to getting the gold medal.
You: Ya, his opponent really potong stim.
7. Sap sap sui
What it means: A Cantonese phrase that translates to “easy” or “no problem”, equivalent to the English phrases “easy peasy” or “piece of cake”.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Eh, how did you score ‘A’ in your exam?
You: Sap sap sui only.
8. Korang / kitorang
What it means: Korang (“kamu orang”) and kitorang (“kita orang”) are contracted versions of two-word Malay pronouns. The first means “you all” and the latter means “we all”.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Are you all coming to the party tonight?
You: Yeah, korang better be ready for some fun!
9. Boss
What it means: Everyone’s a “boss” in Malaysia. It’s not a term that’s solely used to indicate someone who is in an authority position at work. It’s used more to address someone whose name you’re unsure of, especially if you’re looking to gain favour.
Used in a sentence:
You: Boss, can give discount or not?
Shopowner: Best price already, boss.
10. Tapau
What it means: To take away food or drinks. Tapau is a Malaysian-ese word derived from the Cantonese “da bao”, which has the same meaning and pronunciation.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: What are you having for lunch?
You: I want to tapau some cendol.
11. Lan Si / Aiksy / Eksyen
What it means: Lan si is used to describe someone who is overly arrogant or a show-off, or has a bossy attitude. Aiksy / eksyen is also used similarly.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: You see how she acted in the meeting?
You: Ya, so lan si – she only thinks her ideas are good.
12. Chun
What it means: Used to refer to a person or thing that is attractive or appealing.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Have you seen Crazy Rich Asians?
You: Yeah, Henry Golding is really chun!
Image credit: GQ via website
13. Aiyo / Aiya
What it means: Used in scenarios to express dismay, like “Oh no” or “Oh dear”.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: I just spilled coffee all over my shirt.
You: Aiyo, that’s terrible! Let me help you clean it up.
14. Alamak
What it means: An expression of surprise or exasperation, usually in reaction to something unpleasant. It’s similar to “Oh darn”.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: What time are you going to arrive?
You: Alamak, the traffic jam is horrible. But I’m on my way.
Image adapted from: X
15. Chup
What it means: Chup holds two meanings, but it is most commonly used to say “Hold on” or “Wait a second”. It is also a substitute word for when someone wishes to reserve or claim something.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: When are you going on holiday?
You: I need to chup my annual leaves first.
Another example: a motorcycle “chup-ing” a parking spot.
Image credit: Reddit
16. Kantoi
What it means: Kantoi means to get caught in the act or red-handed.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Did you hear, Batman got arrested by the police at a Children’s Day celebration.
You: Alamak, kantoi already.
Image credit: New Straits Times via website
17. Kau tim
What it means: A Cantonese word that means “to settle” or “resolve”.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Did you sort out your income tax issues?
You: Yes, kau tim already.
18. Lepak
What it means: A Malay word that is used by Malaysians when they want to hang out or chill.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: What are your plans after work?
You: I was going to lepak with my friends, but I have to OT.
19. Syok / shiok
What it means: Enjoyable or satisfying.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: How was Coldplay’s concert last night?
You: Syok lah! Chris Martin recited a Malay poem!
20. Cari makan
What it means: A Malay phrase that literally means “to look for food”, though it is used instead to mean “earn a living”.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Why are you working so hard these days?
You: What to do? Need to cari makan to pay rent and eat at cafes.
21. Goyang kaki
What it means: Goyang kaki means “shake leg”, to refer to the act of having nothing to do.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Your dad looks so free nowadays – goyang kaki only.
You: Yeah, he just retired.
22. Bajet
What it means: Acting or pretending.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Did you see how he was posing at the party?
You: Yeah, he so bajet, acting like a model.
23. Yum Cha
What it means: Yum cha is a Cantonese phrase that means “drink tea”, commonly used when catching up with someone over a meal.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: What are you up to this afternoon?
You: Let’s go yum cha. I haven’t seen you in ages!
24. Fong Fei Kei / FFK
What it means: Someone who cancels plans at the last minute, or fails to keep promises. It’s similar to the English phrase “Fly aeroplane”, meaning someone who leaves others high and dry. It’s often abbreviated as FFK.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Call him and ask him where he is. This morning he told me he’ll be coming to dinner.
You: He confirm fong fei kei.
25. Walao eh
What it means: Depending on the tone, it can be used to express surprise, shock, or disappointment.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: What is that Myvi up to?
You: Walao eh, the driver is trying to drift!
Image credit: @bawaubabob via TikTok
26. Bo jio
What it means: Not being invited to something, that leads to feeling left out.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Why didn’t you come to my party last night?
You: Wah, bo jio. You never invite me also!
Friend: …
27. Abuden
What it means: A local substitute to indicate something is obvious, same as “duh”.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Why did you bring an umbrella?
You: Abuden, it’s raining!
28. Dei
What it means: An Indian term to call someone in a friendly way.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Dei, I haven’t seen you in ages!
You: I know! We should catch up soon.
29. Makwe / Pakwe
What it means: A Malay term to refer to someone as your romantic partner.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Who’s that person you’re always with?
You: Oh, that’s my makwe / pakwe. We’ve been together for a while now.
Image credit: @xxiaohann via Instagram
30. Celaka
What it means: Celaka is a bazaar Malay word that means “cursed” or “unfortunate”. It is occasionally used as an expression of disagreement or dislike.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Were you caught in traffic this morning?
You: Yes, celaka! I was stuck for two hours.
31. Kena
What it means: To get, or be on the receiving end of something unpleasant.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: I forgot to do that assignment my boss asked me to!
You: You kena already.
32. Ang moh / guai loh / mat salleh
What it means: A widely-used term that refers to “white people”, or Caucasians. The words ang moh and guai loh are commonly used among the Chinese community, and mat salleh among Malays and Indians.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: I saw a lot of ang moh / mat salleh in Langkawi.
You: Yeah, they love coming here during the holidays!
33. Mantap
What it means: Mantap means “great” and is popularly used among Malaysians online to give a thumbs up to something that amuses or impresses them.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: That cafe regularly gives food to stray dogs.
You: Mantap!
34. Cincai
What it means: To do something carelessly.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: How did you finish your assignment so quickly?
You: I cincai only.
35. Jom
What it means: Jom is a word commonly used among Malaysians to say “let’s”. It’s often paired with an action, but can be used on its own to loosely mean “let’s go”.
Used in a sentence:
Friend: Let’s go ride ATVs in Cameron Highlands.
You: Jom.
Malaysian slang words that only locals know
If you’re Malaysian, we bet you’ve sprinkled these slang words into countless conversations. It goes to show the vibrant ways through which we express ourselves, which makes us truly Malaysian.
You might also enjoy getting to know more about Malaysian culture with this guide of popular traditional herbal remedies and this 13 unique Guinness World Records held by Malaysia.
Cover image adapted from: X