10 Malay words and phrases to know for the new year

1️⃣ buka: to open

This versatile word can be used for physical objects and abstract topics. For example:

buka pintu: open the door

membuka mata: eye-opening

🪟 (To learn more words to use with buka, click here.)

2️⃣ pilih: to choose/to pick

When you're having trouble because there are so many outfits to choose from, you can say to yourself, 😧 "Susahnya nak pilih!" (It's so hard to pick!)

This phrase can be used whenever you're facing a tough decision.

👚 (Get vocabulary related to dressing up here.)

3️⃣ cuba: try

For anyone who wants to try new things next year, this is the word for you. Mix and match cuba with vocabulary you know. For example:

cuba makanan pedas: try spicy food

cuba masuk maraton: try entering a marathon (try running a marathon)

cuba banyakkan rehat: try getting more rest

🏃‍♀️ (To learn more vocabulary to pair with cuba, click here.)

4️⃣ masih: still

Just pair masih with other words you know to say that you're still doing the same thing or something is still the same. For example:

Saya masih seorang pelajar: I am still a student

Mangga masih belum masak: The mangoes are still unripe.

Ekonomi masih lembab: The economy is still slow.

🖌️ (See how the artist Delima uses the word here.)

5️⃣ cerah: bright

Cerah means bright like how the sky looks on a clear day. You can also use cerah to say that the future is bright, "Masa depan cerah." It can be your future "Masa depan aku cerah," or your kid's future, "Masa depan dia cerah."

😎 (If you want to emphasise how bright the sky is, click here.)

6️⃣ Sihat ke?: How are you?

This is an alternative to "Apa khabar?" The phrase "Sihat ke?" is an informal way to ask how people are doing, especially when it's someone you know. This can be used face-to-face and also over the phone.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 (Learn how to use this phrase between friends here.)

7️⃣ yang itu: that one

If you do not know the name of something you want to buy at a shop, fear not! Just proudly say "Saya nak yang itu." It is also helpful for the staff, waiter or shopkeeper if you point at it.

📕 (Learn how to use yang in this article here.)

8️⃣ bolehlah: so-so

When you're feeling meh 😑 and just going through the motions, you can just say "Bolehlah". You don't have to always reply "Baik!" if someone asks "Apa khabar?" Not every day is a good day, sometimes it's a bolehlah day.

🤩 (Get the full explanation of how to use the word boleh here.)

9️⃣ betul-betul: properly

When you feel determined to learn Malay properly this time, you can say "Aku nak belajar bahasa Melayu betul-betul!". You might also see Malay speakers type this word as bebetul in a casual setting like a WhatsApp chat group.

🗣️ (Learn how Johan's mother says this word here.)

🔟 senang saja: that's easy!

When you're doing something that feels easy to you, just say "Senang saja." If you want to sound more casual, say "Senang je!"

✏️ (See how Pensel uses this phrase here.)