From Malay
particleexclamationfoodmamakdailyemotioninsultmoneyworkschoolfamilyfestivedrivinginternetregionalpeoplephrasecomplimentsuperstitionromancekampung
- abangMalay for older brother, also used for any young man, a waiter, or a boyfriend. Often shortened to bang.
- ABCAis batu campur: shaved ice piled with syrup, red beans, corn and jelly.
- acahTo pretend or put on an act. 'Acah-acah' means only pretending.
- adikMalay for younger sibling, also used for any younger person. Often shortened to dik.
- adoiOuch! or oh no! Said when hurt or when something annoying happens. Also aduh, aduhai.
- agak-agakUse your common sense; also to roughly estimate.
- aikMalay sound of puzzled surprise, like 'huh? how come?'.
- ais kosongPlain iced water. The cheapest order at any mamak.
- aisehExpresses mild surprise, regret or embarrassment, like 'oh man'. Often stretched to aiseh man.
- akuCasual Malay for I or me, used among friends.
- alahaiA soft Malay sigh of pity, fondness or disappointment.
- alamakOh no! Said when something goes wrong or you suddenly realise a mistake.
- alongMalay title for the eldest child in a family. Not to be confused with ah long, the loan shark!
- amboiMalay exclamation of surprise or teasing, like 'well, well, well'. Also hamboi.
- ampuTo flatter or brown-nose someone, especially a boss.
- apa cerShort for 'apa cerita', meaning what's up? or what's the story?
- astagaOh my goodness! A mild Malay exclamation of shock.
- atasPosh, high-class, a bit fancy.
- atukMalay for grandfather. Also tok.
- awatNorthern Malay for why. Also pasaipa.
- awekMalay slang for girlfriend, or a young woman in general.
- ayamMalay for chicken, and slang for a weak or noob player.
- bahSabah's all-purpose particle for agreement, encouragement or emphasis, like 'okay lah' or 'yes'. Also spelt ba.
- bajetActing as if, or thinking you are. 'Bajet bagus' means he thinks he's great.
- baju rayaNew traditional outfits worn for Hari Raya, often colour-matched across the whole family.
- balik kampungGoing back to your hometown, especially for the festive holidays.
- bandungPink rose syrup mixed with milk, a sweet favourite especially during Ramadan.
- bangangMalay for stupid or foolish, a bit harsher than bodoh.
- banjirMalay for flood. At the mamak it means drowning your rice or roti in curry.
- bantaiTo whack or thrash someone, or to devour food with gusto.