Family in Malay

Hi again! Okay, even though Malaysian isn't having same skin color, we still call each other with family or relative calling name. I'm not sure why we do that, but by doing so we can feel that every where we go is our home and every one is our family. It made us become one big Malaysian family. So don't feel shock when Malaysian randomly call the waiter 'brother' or 'uncle' or 'auntie'. That just us. You can do so if you want to.

Before we start, let's do some recap on our last lesson. Always remember how to pronounce the vocal alphabets.

A sounds like you open up your mouth - "Ahhh"
I sounds like you showing your teeth - "Eeee"
U sounds like u in 'flu' - "Uuu"
E can sounds like e in elephant or e in earning
O sounds like you pronounce the letter it's own - "Ooo"

So, let's start our lesson!

Mother - ibu / emak (ee-bu / e *e in earn - mug) *usually used :  mak*

Father - Bapa / Ayah (Ba *its like bar without 'r' - pa *like papa / A - yah)

Elder brother - Abang (Ah - bang *open your mouth with the 'a') *usually used :  bang*

Elder sister - Kakak (*remember how to pronounce A?) *usually used :  Akak*

Younger sibling - Adik (Ah - dik) *usually used :  Dik*

Auntie - Mak Cik (mug - cik) *usually used :  Acik*

Uncle - Pak Cik (Park - cik) *usually used :  Acik*

Son / Daughter - Anak (Ah - nak *its like knuckle)

Nephew / Niece - Anak buah / Anak saudara (Ah - nak bu-ah / sau *its like pronounce Saudi  - da -ra)

Cousin - Sepupu (Sir - pu - pu *its like put)

Grandmother - Nenek (nay - neck) *in Malaysia we call our grandparents differently based on place commonly.

Grandfather - Datuk (Dah - took) *usually used :  Atuk*

BONUS When you call your couple 'honey' its called 'sayang' in Malay♡

Malay Tips :

- When calling someone older and looks like in our grandma age, don't just straight call her nenek! Instead call her mak cik.

- If you are not sure what to use either adik or kakak, I personally say just use adik. But if clearly you know she is older than you, use kakak okay?

- Don't be shy to use Malay in public in Malaysia. Even if you're not mastered yet, just use a pinch of it. For example, when you asking for the price "Bang, how much is it?" . It make the seller feel comfortable with a foreigner and you can improve you Malay skills slowly.

For next lesson I'll share how to count in Malay. So, stay tuned~~