From Malay
particleexclamationfoodmamakdailyemotioninsultmoneyworkschoolfamilyfestivedrivinginternetregionalpeoplephrasecomplimentsuperstitionromancekampung
- satNorthern Malay for a moment, from 'sesaat'.
- sayangMalay for love or darling, used for partners, kids and even cats. Also means 'what a pity'.
- sedapMalay for delicious.
- seganShy, reluctant, or too embarrassed to do something.
- selamat hari rayaFestive greeting for Hari Raya, often followed by 'maaf zahir batin' (forgive me, inside and out).
- SelambaGenerally means acting cool, unbothered, nonchalant, or poker-faced. (also spelled selamber)
- selipar JepunRubber flip-flops, the unofficial national footwear. Literally 'Japanese slippers'.
- sembangMalay for chit-chat. 'Sembang kencang' means talking big without doing anything.
- sengalMalay slang for silly or annoyingly goofy.
- sentapHurt or offended by a remark, like being yanked.
- siaSabahan for I or me, from 'saya'.
- sidakSarawakian for they or them.
- sikSarawakian for no or not.
- sikit-sikitMalay for little by little, or just a little bit.
- skemaNerdy, by-the-book, overly formal.
- skodengTo peep at or spy on someone secretly.
- sokmoEast Coast Malay for always.
- SPMThe big end-of-secondary-school exam, and the yardstick every auntie asks about.
- sudah makan?'Eaten yet?', a common Malaysian greeting that really just means 'how are you'. Also dah makan?
- syokAwesome, enjoyable, deeply satisfying. Also spelt syiok, shiok.
- syok sendiriBeing full of yourself, or enjoying something alone while nobody else cares.
- 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.
- 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.