Starting with T
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- tackleMalaysian slang for trying to win someone's heart.
- tai taiA wealthy wife who doesn't need to work and enjoys a life of leisure.
- taikoA gang leader or the big boss of a group.
- tak bolehMalay for cannot. 'Tak boleh tahan' means can't stand it.
- tak kisahMalay for 'I don't mind' or 'whatever'.
- tak payahMalay for 'no need' or 'don't bother'. Also tak yah.
- takde halMalay for 'no problem' or 'no big deal'.
- takkanMalay for 'no way' or 'surely not', expressing disbelief. Also tak kan, takkanlah.
- takpeMalay for 'it's okay' or 'never mind'. Also takpa, tak apa.
- tapauTo take food away, from Cantonese. The Malaysian way of saying takeaway. Also spelt tah pau, ta pau.
- taukeThe boss or business owner, from Hokkien. Also spelt towkay, taukeh.
- teh OBlack tea with sugar, no milk.
- teh pengIced milk tea. At a mamak, ask for 'teh ais' and you get the same thing.
- teh tarikFrothy 'pulled' milk tea poured from a height, the unofficial national drink.
- temanPerak Malay for I or me.
- tensionStressed or worked up. 'Don't tension' means calm down.
- terasaFeeling hurt, or taking something personally.
- tererVery skilled or clever, from English 'terror'. Also spelt terror.
- thambiTamil for younger brother, used to call a young guy. Also tambi.
- this one cannot lahManglish for 'this is unacceptable' or 'this won't do'.
- tipuMalay for lie or cheat.
- toksahNorthern Malay for 'no need' or 'don't'.
- tolongMalay for help, or please.
- tosaiThin, crispy South Indian rice crepe, a mamak staple. Also spelt thosai, dosa.
- tuangTo skip work or class without a good reason.
- tuisyenMalay spelling of tuition, the after-school classes almost every kid attends.
- tumpangTo hitch a ride or borrow someone's space. 'Tumpang tanya' means may I ask.
- tumpang lalu'Excuse me, passing through.' Said when walking past people, or politely to unseen spirits in the jungle.
- tunggu kejapMalay for 'wait a moment'. Often shortened to kejap or jap.
- Turun PadangIn Malaysian slang and casual conversation, "turun padang" means "to pull up" "show up" or "get hands-on".