Malaysia Language: What Do They Speak in Malaysia?
The official language of Malaysia is Malay. In Malay, the country is called Malaysia. Malay is used in government, education, media and everyday life across the country.
🗣️ Language at a Glance
About the Malay Language
Malay served as the lingua franca of maritime Southeast Asia for over a thousand years, from the Srivijaya empire through the spice trade, with inscriptions dating back to the 7th century. Today it is the national language of Malaysia (as Bahasa Malaysia), Brunei and Singapore, and the foundation of Indonesian, together spanning one of the world's most populous language communities. Malay is an Austronesian language, kin to Javanese, Tagalog and, across the ocean, Malagasy and Maori. Indonesian is a standardised register of Malay, and the two remain mutually intelligible; they diverge mainly in loanwords, with Malay borrowing from English where Indonesian borrowed from Dutch (an office is pejabat in Malaysia but kantor in Indonesia).
The Latin alphabet (Rumi): How Malay is Written
Malay is written day to day in the Latin alphabet, known as Rumi, with simple phonetic spelling and no diacritics. It also has a second, older script: Jawi, an Arabic-derived alphabet that is co-official in Brunei and still used in religious and ceremonial contexts in Malaysia.
Is Malay a Tonal Language?
No, Malay is not a tonal language. Pronunciation is even and straightforward, one of the reasons it historically spread so well as a trade language.
🗨️ Useful Malay Phrases
A few everyday phrases in Malay, written in a simple romanized pronunciation so you can read them aloud. Tones and exact sounds vary by region, so treat these as a starting point.
How Hard is Malay to Learn?
Malay shares Indonesian's reputation as one of the friendliest Asian languages for English speakers, around 900 class hours by US Foreign Service Institute estimates: Latin script, phonetic spelling, no tones, no conjugation and no grammatical gender. The affix system that builds words from roots is where the real study begins.
Language Tips for Visitors to Malaysia
The official language of Malaysia is Malay, which may be unfamiliar to many international travellers. While English speakers can often be found in larger cities and tourist-heavy areas, it is advisable to learn a few basic phrases before your trip. Locals greatly appreciate any effort to use the local language, even if imperfect. Simple greetings, thank-yous and asking for directions in Malay will go a long way. The country is officially known as Malaysia in Malay, and the international dialling code is +60.
🌍 Other Countries Where Malay is Spoken
Malay is not exclusive to Malaysia; it is also spoken in these countries:
Frequently Asked Questions about Language in Malaysia
What language do they speak in Malaysia?
The official language of Malaysia is Malay.
Is English spoken in Malaysia?
English is not an official language in Malaysia. The main language is Malay. English may be spoken in tourist areas.
What is Malaysia called in its own language?
Malaysia is called "Malaysia" in Malay.
What writing system does Malay use?
Malay is written in the Latin alphabet (Rumi). Malay is written day to day in the Latin alphabet, known as Rumi, with simple phonetic spelling and no diacritics. It also has a second, older script: Jawi, an Arabic-derived alphabet that is co-official in Brunei and still used in religious and ceremonial contexts in Malaysia.
Is Malay a tonal language?
No, Malay is not a tonal language. Pronunciation is even and straightforward, one of the reasons it historically spread so well as a trade language.
How do you say hello in Malay?
"Hello" in Malay is "helo / selamat pagi".
Is Malay hard to learn?
Malay shares Indonesian's reputation as one of the friendliest Asian languages for English speakers, around 900 class hours by US Foreign Service Institute estimates: Latin script, phonetic spelling, no tones, no conjugation and no grammatical gender. The affix system that builds words from roots is where the real study begins.
How many official languages does Malaysia have?
Malaysia has one official language: Malay.
Do I need to speak Malay to visit Malaysia?
It is not required but learning basic phrases in Malay is strongly recommended and appreciated.
What is the calling code for Malaysia?
The international dialling code for Malaysia is +60.
What is the population of Malaysia?
Malaysia has a population of approximately 33.6M, all of whom use Malay as the official language.