Wednesday, October 8, 2025
  • Lowyat.NET
  • Lipstiq
  • Murai MY
  • Miss Murai
  • Varnam
  • Moviedash
  • Autofreaks
No Result
View All Result
Hype Malaysia
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests
Hype Malaysia
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests
No Result
View All Result
Hype Malaysia
No Result
View All Result
Home Featured

Merdeka: 10 Most Commonly Used Malaysian Slangs

by Bryna K.
August 29, 2014
587
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Whatsapp

“Eh how are you lah?”

Photo via www.affnanaquaponics.com
Photo via www.affnanaquaponics.com

As Malaysians, we can get very, very creative with our word choices and the way we speak. Forget the fancy and proper vocabulary or grammar, it’s all good as long as we understand each other. Only in Malaysia, we can speak a full sentence with a combination of different languages and still understand each other. Why? Well, it’s simply because we are so used to speaking broken English and Malay that it makes us somewhat unique.

Apart from the mixture of languages in one sentence, we also then to end almost every sentence with the word “lah”. For example: “How are you lah?”, “No lah, I’m not hungry lah”. Admit it, you do it just as often as everyone else does. It’s a reflex, second nature to us Malaysians. Today, in conjunction with celebrating Independence, here’s a list of some of the most common slangs used by Malaysians:boss

1. Boss / Anneh

Somehow in Malaysia, everyone’s a boss. And no, we don’t literally mean boss as in the head of an organisation or owner of a company. We just tend to call each other “boss”. Especially, the waiters at a Mamak stall. You need to order something, you go “Boss, ice kosong satu” or “Anneh, ice kosong one”. When you need them to calculate the bill, you go, “Boss, kira”. Correct or not?

ah no la

2. Ah, no la.

Usually used in a more sarcastic manner, “Ah, no la” is Malaysians way of saying DUHHH! For example, in response to obvious questions like “Did you colour your hair?”, one would reply with “Ah, no la. The colour magically changed by itself”.

dei

3. Bro / macha / dei

From Au Jardin To Dewakan Restaurant: 7 Restaurants In Malaysia That Received Michelin Stars

Pretty much a way of greeting or calling each other. Like how girls call each babe, guys call each other bro, macha and/or dei in Malaysia. Also, Malaysians tend to shorten our sentences. For example, instead of asking someone “How are you?”, we say “How you?”. For effect, you can even add a “lah” to the end of that sentence. Like, “How you lah?”

4. Yum cha

Derived from the Cantonese dialect, Yum Cha when translated directly means “drink tea”. However, for us Malaysians it means “hang out” in very casual manner. Instead of saying, “Hey, lets hang out” we say, “Come yum cha”.

5. Lah, ma, lor, wor, wei

You can find these nouns in almost every sentence. Be it the beginning, middle or end. For example: “Let’s go eat lah”, “I didn’t know leh”, “Yalor, not my fault also”, “Ya wei, what to do wei?”, “Because he’s hot ma!”. I’m pretty sure you, yes you, the person who’s reading it, can imagine yourself using these nouns on a daily basis. Don’t worry, I do too 😛

PicMonkey Collage

6. Leng lui / leng chai

Also, derived from the Cantonese dialect, “leng lui” means pretty girl and “leng chai” means handsome boy. While these are usually meant for complimenting people, we Malaysians sometimes address random people by calling them “leng lui” or “leng chai”. Sometimes, we would rather say “Eh, leng chai” or “Eh leng lui”, rather than the traditional “excuse me” which works perfectly fine in grabbing someone’s attention. Nope, we’re too cool for “excuse me”.

Malaysians Can Now Officially Enjoy Five More Years of Visa-Free Travel To China

b2ap3_thumbnail_196880 (1)

7. Cincai

Cincai literally means whatever or anything. Ie: When a Malaysian asks a fellow Malaysian this, “Hey, what do you feel like eating?”, they usually reply with “cincai la”. It can also mean “simply”. For example: “She cincai do!” which literally means, “She simply do!” but actually means (in perfect English), “She didn’t put effort in doing it”.

PicMonkey Collage

8. On the way

Okay now to most people “on the way” actually literally means that someone is on the way. But to Malaysians, “on the way” can also mean, “I’m still watching TV at home”, “I’m getting ready”, or “I’m leaving my house in 30 minutes”. How many times has someone told you that they were on the way and made you wait at least a good 10 to 20 minutes? And how many times have you done the same?

PicMonkey Collage

9. Bo Jio / Tak Ajak

Bo jio (Hokkien) or tak ajak (Malay) when translated directly to English means “never invite”. We normally use it when people don’t call or invite us for an event, party, social gathering, or outing.

PicMonkey Collage

10. Belanja

Derived from the Malay language, “belanja” means treat. As in to treat someone, be it drinks, food or a movie. We usually use the word “belanja” when people ask us out. Ie: “Hey, lets go drinks” is responded with “You belanja ah? Can”.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this and please do share your most used slangs with us. After all, sharing is caring hor!

Happy Merdeka weekend, everyone 🙂

#Merdeka2014#Merdeka57MalaysiaMalaysian Independence Daymanglish
https://lomp.at/gg6n1
Share235SendTweet147Share

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. 

FOLLOW THE HYPE

Lifestyle

Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hosts ‘Coffee Date’ in Celebration of Brew with Benefits Campaign

by Shangkari
October 6, 2025

Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel & Convention Centre recently hosted an exclusive Coffee Date activation at R Bar on 30th September...

Read more
Lifestyle

LEGOLAND® Malaysia’s Brick-or-Treat Monster Party Returns for Spookiest Season Yet

Halloween comes alive once again at LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort as the highly anticipated Brick-or-Treat Monster Party makes its return –...

Read more
by Dean Zaini
October 3, 2025
Lifestyle

Devialet Phantom Ultimate Lands In KL & Turns Music Into Pure Emotion

Devialet, the French audio powerhouse known for pushing the limits of sound, has finally brought its latest creation—the Phantom Ultimate—to...

Read more
by Dean Zaini
October 2, 2025
Lifestyle

HOYA Expands A Million Visions With Free Kids’ Eye Exams This World Sight Day

Kids today spend more time on TikTok than in the playground—and our eyes are paying the price. Experts predict that...

Read more
by Dean Zaini
October 2, 2025
Lifestyle

From Law Books To Runway Looks: Charlotte Netto Is Miss MalaysiaIndian Global 2025

The 26th Annual Miss MalaysiaIndian Global (MMIGLOBAL) Grand Finals lit up Klang as Johor-born Charlotte Netto, 28, a lawyer based...

Read more
by Dean Zaini
October 1, 2025
Photo Credit: Pexel / Kaboompics.com
Lifestyle

Morning vs. Night Hair Routines: When Should You Wash Your Hair?

Hair care isn't just about the products you use – timing matters too. Whether you lather up at sunrise or...

Read more
by Dean Zaini
September 23, 2025
Photo Source: Pexel / Карина )
Lifestyle

What Does Your Favorite Chocolate Reveal About You As A Friend?

While some people consult horoscopes to understand their friendship style, others need look no further than their favorite chocolate. Your...

Read more
by Dean Zaini
September 22, 2025
SOURCE: FACEBOOK (US Highbush Blueberries Malaysia)
Eats

The Goodness Of Blueberries: How A Boost Of Blue Can Help With A Healthy Heart 

Sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest difference. Who knew that the humble blueberry could have so many benefits?...

Read more
by Adleena
September 21, 2025
Load More


TOP STORIES TODAY

  1. 1

    (Photos) HK Actress Nancy Wu Ties The Knot With Doctor BF Akin Chan

  2. 2

    #SIWON_OUT: Super Junior Choi Siwon Under Fire For Islamophobic Post

  3. 3

    (Video) Influencer Apologises To Aaron Aziz After Slander Accusation; Actor & Family Plan Legal Action

  4. 4

    Aaron Kwok’s Wife Moka Fang Reportedly Gave Birth To Baby Boy

  5. 5

    (Video) Kasih Iris Leona Buys Her First Car; Number Plate Steals The Spotlight

Malaysia’s live-wire for the latest news, trends, and entertainment is finally here. We are your calendar, your grapevine, your comic relief, your post-event coverage, and your celebrity stalker. Did we also mention that we are also your gateway to the world?



Contact us: newsdesk@hype.my



  • About
  • Advertise
  • Jobs
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy

©2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests

©2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests

©2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.