🇲🇾
Essential apps for
Malaysia
Malay & EnglishMYR4 apps
Kuala Lumpur and Penang are app-friendly. Grab handles rides + food + payments — it's the only app you really need.
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Power & Plug
TypeG
Voltage240V
Freq50Hz
British plug, same as Singapore and HK.
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Basic phrases
Malay
- HelloHeloheh-loh
- Thank youTerima kasihteh-ree-mah kah-seh
- Excuse me / SorryMaafmah-ahf
- YesYayah
- NoTidaktee-dah
+10 more below
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Tipping
Tipping is not expected; upscale restaurants and hotels usually add a 10% service charge plus tax. Rounding up taxi fares or leaving small change is appreciated but optional.
🚖Rideshare & Taxi
See all →🗺️Navigation & Maps
See all →🍱Food Delivery
See all →Phrases
All Malay phrases
Hello
Helo
heh-loh
Thank you
Terima kasih
teh-ree-mah kah-seh
Excuse me / Sorry
Maaf
mah-ahf
Yes
Ya
yah
No
Tidak
tee-dah
Please
Tolong
toh-long
Goodbye
Selamat tinggal
seh-lah-mat ting-gal
How much?
Berapa harganya?
beh-rah-pah har-gah-nyah
Where is the bathroom?
Di mana tandas?
dee mah-nah tan-das
The check, please
Tolong, bil
toh-long, bill
I don't understand
Saya tidak faham
sah-yah tee-dah fah-ham
Do you speak English?
Adakah anda bercakap bahasa Inggeris?
ah-dah-kah an-dah ber-chah-kap bah-hah-sah ing-geh-ris
Help!
Tolong!
toh-long
Delicious
Sedap
seh-dap
Cheers
Yam seng
yam seng
Briefing
What to know before you go
✓ Do
- Use your right hand for eating, giving, and receiving, as the left is considered unclean
- Remove your shoes before entering homes, mosques, and many temples
- Dress modestly at religious sites; cover shoulders and knees and women cover hair in mosques
- Accept food or drink offered by hosts as a sign of respect for their hospitality
- Ask before photographing people and religious ceremonies
- Use a thumb or open hand rather than a single finger to point or beckon
✕Don't
- Don't touch anyone's head, including children's, as it is considered sacred
- Don't offer pork or alcohol to Muslim hosts, or eat openly near them during Ramadan
- Don't show public displays of affection, which are frowned upon
- Don't disrespect the monarchy or Islam in conversation
⚠️ Common scams to know
- Taxi drivers refusing the meter and quoting fixed inflated fares, especially at airports
- Overpriced or fake goods and gemstones sold as bargains in tourist markets
- Friendly strangers luring tourists into rigged card or gambling games
- Fake tour operators or 'closed attraction' touts redirecting you to commission shops
Going elsewhere?