Manglish, defined by Malaysians

Look up the slang we really speak, vote on the best meaning and share je lah.

Add a wordSurprise me
Word of the day, Wednesday, 11 November

tauke

The boss or business owner, from Hokkien. Also spelt towkay, taukeh.

“Ask the tauke, he decide.”

Make a meme card
Hokkien
See all words
  1. tunggu kejapMalay for 'wait a moment'. Often shortened to kejap or jap.Malay
    +1
  2. tak bolehMalay for cannot. 'Tak boleh tahan' means can't stand it.Malay
    +1
  3. BaraiSomething that is broken, ruined, exhausted, or worn out.Malay
    +1
  4. jomMalay for 'let's go!', the universal invite. Also spelt jum.Malay
    +1
  5. SelambaGenerally means acting cool, unbothered, nonchalant, or poker-faced. (also spelled selamber)Malay
    +1
  6. lahThe king of Manglish particles. Tacked onto the end of a sentence to soften it, stress it, or just make it sound Malaysian. Also spelt la, …Malay, Hokkien
    +0
  7. lorShows resignation or that something is obvious, like 'well, that's how it is'. Also spelt loh.Cantonese, Hokkien
    +0
  8. lehAdds a soft, slightly pleading or tentative tone, or gently pushes back on something.Hokkien, Cantonese
    +0
  9. mehTurns a sentence into a doubtful or surprised question, like 'really?' or 'is that so?'.Cantonese
    +0
  10. mahMeans 'it's obvious lah' and is used when giving a reason that should have been clear. Also spelt ma.Cantonese, Hokkien
    +0

Where our slang comes from

01Malay02Hokkien03Cantonese04Tamil05English06Rojak (mixed)

Speak like a local, one sentence at a time

Fresh from the kopitiam

Add yours
  1. nonongmenonong or ternonong-nonong means to walk straight ahead quickly without looking left or right, or to do something without paying attentio…Malay
    +0
  2. tungkikIn parts of Malaysia (especially in Johor), tungkik is used as a slang term or adjective to describe a sharp, highly unpleasant, and pungen…Malay
    +0
  3. syahduIn modern slang, people use syahdu to describe a vibe (mood or atmosphere) that feels: Cozy, peaceful, slow-pace, nostalgic, or softly emot…Malay
    +0
  4. wakluIt is used casually among peers—to dismiss someone's claim, express disbelief, or talk back playfully/rudely (similar to saying "Yeah, righ…Malay
    +0
  5. Turun PadangIn Malaysian slang and casual conversation, "turun padang" means "to pull up" "show up" or "get hands-on".Malay
    +0
  6. pisangPisang literally means "banana," but colloquially it is used to describe feeling extremely bored, mentally exhausted, or having nothing to …Malay
    +0
  7. MenyalaLiterally means "blazing" or "on fire". Meaning "you're shining," "you're glowing," or used as high praise/encouragement for someone lookin…Malay
    +0
  8. kecekKecek is a Malay word that primarily means to speak, talk, or chat, most famously used as a core verb in the Kelantanese dialect.Malay
    +0