Essential everyday greetings, farewells, and courtesy phrases.
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Hai, selamat pagi.
Hi, good morning. ('Selamat' (safe/peace, from Arabic 'salam') opens most greetings.)
Apa khabar?
How are you? (Literally 'what news?')
Khabar baik! Awak pula?
I'm good! And you? ('Pula' = 'as for, and what about'.)
Selamat petang, semua!
Good evening, everyone!
Selamat malam, sayang.
Good night, darling. ('Sayang' = love/dear; also means 'to love' and 'what a pity'.)
Siapa nama awak?
What's your name? (Literally 'who name you' — 'siapa' (who) is used for names.)
Nama saya Alex. Awak pula?
My name is Alex. And yours?
Maaf, saya tak faham.
Sorry, I didn't understand. ('Tak' is the colloquial form of 'tidak' (not).)
Tumpang tanya.
Excuse me. (Literally 'borrow to ask' — used to politely get attention before asking something.)
Minta maaf.
Pardon me / Sorry. (Literally 'ask for forgiveness'.)
Tolong.
Please. (Also means 'help' — used before requests like 'please pass...'.)
Terima kasih atas bantuan awak.
Thank you for your help. (Literally 'receive love for help'.)
Sama-sama.
You're welcome. (Literally 'same-same' — reduplication is common in Malay.)
Gembira bertemu awak!
Nice to meet you! ('Ber-' prefix turns 'temu' (meet) into the verb form.)
Selamat tinggal.
Goodbye. (Literally 'safe stay' — said by the one leaving. The one staying says 'selamat jalan' (safe journey).)
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