All the words
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- open the lightAnother Manglish way to switch on the light or fan, from Chinese. 'Close the light' means switch it off.
- otaiMalay slang for a veteran or OG, someone experienced and respected.
- otak kat lututLiterally 'brain at your knee', meaning not thinking at all.
- otak udangLiterally 'shrimp brain', meaning stupid.
- otwOn the way. Possibly the most frequently fibbed phrase in Malaysia.
- outstationOut of town, usually for work or a trip.
- paduSolid, powerful, top-notch. Classic Malay slang praise.
- pai kiaHokkien for a gangster or bad boy.
- paisehHokkien for embarrassed or shy, also used as a casual 'sorry'. Also spelt paisey.
- pakatTo plan together or gang up on something. Also berpakat.
- pakcikMalay for uncle, used for any older man. Also pak cik.
- pakweMalay slang for boyfriend.
- paluiSabahan for stupid or silly.
- pancitA flat tyre, or being totally exhausted.
- pandaiMalay for clever or good at something. Sarcastic 'pandai-pandai' means acting smart.
- pantangA taboo or thing you must avoid, from superstitions to the confinement month after giving birth.
- pasar malamNight market, packed with food stalls, cheap stuff and crowds.
- pauMalay slang for squeezing money or a free treat out of someone.
- pengsanMalay for faint or pass out; also used for being dead tired.
- perasanThinking too highly of yourself, or wrongly assuming something is about you.
- perghMalay slang for 'wow', used when something is impressive or intense. Also spelt perghh.
- piNorthern Malay for go.
- pigiSabahan for go, from 'pergi'.
- pisangPisang literally means "banana," but colloquially it is used to describe feeling extremely bored, mentally exhausted, or having nothing to …
- podahTamil for 'go away!', used jokingly to tell a friend off. Also poda.
- pokaiBroke, out of money. From Cantonese 'pok kai'. Also spelt pokkai.
- polahSarawakian for do or make.
- pontengTo skip class, school or work.
- pontianakA female vampire ghost from Malay folklore, linked to the scent of frangipani.
- portYour regular hangout spot.