Malay | Northern Dialect Northern Malaysia, Malaysia

belen

Slang USED Frequently BY Some People

Refers to a woman who engages in various illicit activities, e.g. sexual activities with various partners simply for the fun of it. Derived from the English word "balance", in the context of leftover foods after being eaten.

"Wei, daripada hang jadi belen, baik hang jaga mak hang. Berfaedah sikit."

"Hey, rather than being a belen, it's better if you take care of your mother. That's more beneficial."

Malay Malaysia

#donedakwah

Hashtag USED Frequently BY Almost Everyone

(#donespreading (the message)) • Used when someone makes a sarcastic response to a situation, especially if it involves good/bad actions. Originated from Arabic da'wah, meaning to invite/to call upon - specifically, to preach about the Islamic faith.

"Bersangka baiklah. Mungkin diorang menunjuk-nunjuk sedekah sebab diorang nak membuktikan yang diorang baik. #donedakwah"

"Assume the best. Maybe they show off their donation because they want to prove that they're nice #donedakwah"

Chinese | Hokkien and Malay Malaysia

mempersiasuikan

Portmanteau USED Frequently BY Almost Everyone

(v.) • It's a portmanteau between a Malay and Hokkien word used in Malaysia and the Hokkien verb ‘sia sui’. It means ‘to embarrass’.

"You don’t mempersiasuikan our family can or not?"

"Can you please don't embarrass our family?"

Chinese | Hokkien Malaysia

cincai

Slang USED Very frequently BY Almost Everyone

It means "whatever" but you can also use it to describe an action where one does anything casually or as one pleases.

"What you want for lunch?" "Cincai lah!"

"What do you want to have for lunch?" "Whatever!"

English Malaysia

banana

Name USED On Rare Occasion BY Almost Everyone

Used to refer to an English-educated Malaysian born Chinese person, who doesn’t have a good command of the Chinese language and can only speak English.

"Alex's grandparents find it hard to speak with him because he is a banana."

Chinese | Hokkien Malaysia

Abuden?

Slang USED Frequently BY Almost Everyone

(interj.) • When someone asks stupid obvious questions, “abuden” is the correct answer. It means “isn’t it obvious?” or "What else did you expect?"

"Are you eating?" "Abuden?"

"Are you eating?" "Duh! Isn't it obvious?"

Chinese | Hokkien Malaysia

bo jio

Slang USED Frequently BY Everyone

It refers to people who have never invited the person who mentions it to a certain event, outing or gathering.

"你去哪儿? bo jio!"

"Where are you going? You didn't invite me!"

Malay Malaysia

makan angin

Idiom USED Frequently BY Almost Everyone

(eating wind) • It means going on vacation or traveling.

"Kami sekeluarga makan angin ke Eropa tahun lepas."

"Our family went eating wind in Europe last year."

Chinese | Hokkien Malaysia

Bak chiu tak stamp

Slang USED On Rare Occasion BY Almost Everyone

(eyes have been pasted over with a stamp) • Taking amusement in someone's inability to see things clearly (both literally and figuratively).

"Bak chew tak stamp?"

"Can't you see it?"

Malay Malaysia

#DudukRumah

Hashtag USED In the past BY Some People

A hashtag created during the COVID-19 crisis to encourage people to stay at home.

"Day 40 #DudukRumah"

"Day 40 #StayAtHome"