Malaysia is one of the most diverse countries in Asia. We has great people, great food, attractive places...but what really separates Malaysia from other countries are our multiracial-culture that shows you how unique we are.
Here’s some unique vocabulary and phrases use in daily basis:-
- Vocabulary consists of words from English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil
“gostan” (meaning: reverse). When a vehicle try to reverse….Malaysian used to say : “...hey, the car needs to “gostan”.
“sia-sui” (meaning: embarrassing or humiliating). This vocab was originated from Chinese-Hokien. “...so sia-sui...” means “...so embarrassing...”
“ngam-ngam” (meaning: just nice/just enough). Also Chinese vocab, but originated from Cantonese. When you heard someone said:”….ok, ok….ngam-ngam...”. He or she meant “...ok, ok….just nice.”
“aiya” (meaning: “Oh no”). When I said:”...aiya, I just left my key in the car.” Meaning, “...Oh no, I just left my key in the car.”
“mak-oi” (meaning: “my goodness”). “...mak-oi, so tasty...” means “...my goodness, so tasty...”
- Direct-translation. Phrases that translated directly from one’s first language into English
“eat where?” – Instead, “where shall we go and eat?”
“go where now?” – Instead, “where shall we go now?”
“where got?” – “I don’t agreeing to this…?”
- Use of ‘lah’, ‘loh’, ‘leh’, ‘mah’, ‘kan’, ‘meh’, ‘lor’, ‘hor’, bo’, ‘gua’, ‘liao’, ‘wor’…..
“go lah!” – let’s go
“come lah!” – please feel free to come by
“good lah!” – Wow, that is good
“enough loh, thanks” – It’s enough, thanks
“no leh...” – I doubt so..” or “I don’t think so
“can mah….” – Should be alright
“ok kan?” - Is it ok?
“can meh?” - Are you certain? (or Are you sure?)
“can lor” - Yes, I think so.
“can hor?” - Is is OK for you?
“can bo?” - Can or not?
“OK gua” - should be alright
“Can liao” - Already done
“can wor” - It works
Hope you enjoy it, if you find the above post entertaining, please upvote. If you find it difficult to understand, please comment.
Have a nice day! (_)
Source of some ideas: (https://cultureboleh.com/manglish-a-truly-unique-malaysian-language)