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Malay language

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The Malay language is the national language of Malaysia and the mother tongue of the Malay people. It is also known as Bahasa Melayu or Bahasa Malaysia (Bahasa means language in Malay) and uses the Roman script. "Bahasa Melayu" is also called "Bahasa Malaysia" because it is the national language of Malaysia. All Malaysians are required to learn the language regardless of their ethnic background because "Bahasa Malaysia" is seen as the language that unifies the nation.

Some simple words in Malay

  • Selamat datang (Welcome)
  • Terima kasih (Thank you)
  • Selamat pagi (Good morning)
  • Selamat tengahari (Good afternoon)
  • Selamat petang (Good evening)
  • Selamat malam (Good night)
  • Jumpa lagi (See you again)


Indonesia's official language, Bahasa Indonesia, is very similar to "Bahasa Malaysia" and speakers of one language generally can communicate with speakers of the other language.


Not to be confused with the Malayalam language, spoken in India.