10 Common Malay Proverbs With The Best Advice!

Looking to learn some Malay proverbs, or peribahasa?

You’ve come to the right place!

In this blog, not only will you discover some of the most meaningful sayings, but you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of Malay culture in the process—Sambil Menyelam Minum Air (killing two birds with one stone)

Learning Malaysian is more than memorizing words

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In this post, we’ll explore 10 common Malay proverbs packed with timeless advice for everyday life.

Whether you’re trying to expand your language skills or seeking practical wisdom, these proverbs will help you achieve both effortlessly!

10 Common Malay Proverbs

Listed below are 10 of the most common proverbs in Bahasa Malaysia that you can hear among the locals.

1. Sambil Menyelam Minum Air

As mentioned earlier, the literal translation of this phrase is: while diving, drink water.

It illustrates the concept of accomplishing two tasks simultaneously — in this case, diving and drinking water.

Essentially, it is the Malay equivalent of the English proverb “killing two birds with one stone.”

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2. Mati Semut Kerana Gula

The English translation for this phrase is “ants die because of sugar.”

You cannot really guess what it means just by the words themselves, right?

The easiest way to explain it is by using it when someone falls victim to wheedles or an easy way out.

3. Sudah Jatuh Ditimpa Tangga

The phrase translates to: after falling, the ladder falls on you.

The best way to use it is when someone is going through bad luck or hard times one after another; in other words, “it never rains, but it pours.”

There is another Malay proverb that has the same meaning: terlepas dari mulut buaya, masuk ke mulut harimau, which can be translated to ‘escaping the mouth of the crocodile just to enter the mouth of a tiger.’

4. Hendak Seribu Daya, Tak Hendak Seribu Dalih

This one is one of my favorites.

The direct translation is: if you are willing, you can do a thousand things to achieve it.

However, if you are unwilling, you can come up with a thousand excuses.

The English translation is pretty self-explanatory.

Some may say it is the same as “when there’s a will, there’s a way,” but I only agree to some extent.

This is due to the emphasis on the second part of the saying, which highlights that people can come up with petty excuses just to escape anything.

5. Lembu Punya Susu, Sapi Dapat Nama

The proverb Lembu Punya Susu, Sapi Dapat Nama literally translates to: the cow gives milk, but the bull gets the name. 

This saying means that one person does all the hard work, but someone else takes the credit.

It highlights situations where efforts and contributions go unrecognized while others benefits from the results, reminding the unfairness that can occur when recognition isn’t given to the right person.

If you have a boss or a coworker, always take credit for your work; this is the best proverb to describe the situation.

6. Harimau Mati Meninggalkan Belang, Manusia Mati Meninggalkan Nama

The direct translation is that tigers die and leave their stripes, but humans die, leaving their names.

If you haven’t noticed, tigers play a significant role in Malaysian culture.

In this context, the true meaning behind the saying is that a good person leaves a lasting positive impression when they die, while a bad person leaves a negative legacy.

The wisdom behind this phrase encourages individuals to do good until their last breath and to avoid tarnishing their names.

7. Sepandai-Pandai Tupai Melompat, Akhirnya Jatuh Ke Tanah Juga

The English translation for this phrase is: No matter how high the squirrel jumps, it will eventually fall onto the ground.

Have you ever seen a squirrel fall? Me neither.

But the point of this proverb is to remind everyone that no matter how hard you are running away from your misdeeds and wrongdoings, one day, people will find out about it.

That’s why sometimes you will see this proverb as the title of a busted drug syndicate news.

The English correspondent for this saying could be “curses, like chickens, come home to roost.”

8. Tanam Lalang Tak Akan Tumbuh Padi

This means that you won’t get rice if you plant grass.

Lalang is an unwanted type of weed, and people always joke that you can get weed while planting rice, but you will never get rice if you plant weed.

The hidden meaning is that all misdeeds will receive retributions, or, to make it simple, karma never loses.

In truth, this is another expression that encourages good deeds and condemns bad deeds.

9. Malu Bertanya Sesat Jalan, Malu Berkayuh Perahu Hanyut

English translation: If you’re too shy to ask, you will get lost; if you refuse to paddle your boat, it will drift away.

This one is important for those still learning, either in a learning environment or a working environment under a superior.

The meaning behind it is that if you do not try something, it will be difficult to achieve something, and if you are reluctant or shy to ask your superior or teacher, you are bound to make a mistake.

10. Alang-Alang Menyeluk Pekasam Biar Ke Pangkal Lengan

This literally denotes that if you reach into the fermented fish jar, you should just put your whole arm in.

This expression means that you should be determined to finish what you have started successfully, not half-heartedly.

But why fermented fish?

That is because pekasam (Malay fermented fish) has a very pungent smell, and if you are going to be smelly from putting your hand in there anyway, why not just go all out, right?

The same meaning can be derived from the saying, “in for a penny, in for a pound“.

There are several others in Malay that has the same meaning, though, for instance: alang-alang mandi biar basah, or alang-alang berminyak, biar licin.

How Do You Say Proverbs in Malay

In Malay, proverbs are known as peribahasa (peh-ree-bah-HAH-sah), which are wise sayings passed down through generations to teach life lessons and values, Malay proverbs are a big part of the culture, often used to express deeper meanings in simple, relatable ways.

Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs In Malay

What Is An Example Of A Malay Proverb?

One of the most commonly used proverbs in Malay is bagai aur dengan tebing, which translates to “Like the bamboo and the riverbank.”

This proverb symbolizes a strong, mutually supportive relationship in which both parties rely on each other to thrive.

It is often used to describe the importance of cooperation and teamwork.

Differences Between English Proverbs And Malay Proverbs

If you take this example: bertepuk sebelah tangan, tidak akan berbunyi, it literally translates to ‘clapping with one hand cannot produce a sound.’

You can derive from this phrase that you need two hands to clap properly. Hence, it takes two to tango. An interesting twist to the basic English version, right?

When you compare Malay proverbs to English ones, the Malay ones are usually longer.

Personally, I think this is because Malay proverbs are more descriptive and picturesque, whereas English proverbs are more succinct and subtle in delivering their meaning (not in every case).

Of course, there are simple and short ones, but most are long and sometimes confusing, even to Malay native speakers.

Are Malay Proverbs Used In Everyday Conversations?

Yes, Malay proverbs are often used in everyday conversations because they hold many social and cultural meanings.

People use them to give advice or highlight a point, and they really capture the values and wisdom important in Malaysian culture.

You’ll hear them in casual chats and more formal settings as they add depth to what’s being said.

All The Vocabularies You Need To Know

Here, I’ve summarized the keywords from the proverbs we discussed earlier.

Have you noticed how these proverbs often feature animal names in Malay and body parts in Malay?

This makes them more visual and easier to grasp!

Use These Malay Proverbs Now!

Now that you’re familiar with some of the most popular Malay proverbs, why not start using them when you have conversations in Malay?

To add even more variety, you can also learn Malay idioms to spice up your speech and express yourself more authentically.

Incorporating these sayings will not only help you connect with native speakers but also give you a deeper appreciation of the culture behind the language.

Learning proverbs is a great way to make your speech more natural and expressive, giving you an edge in casual chats and formal discussions.

To take your learning even further, try the Ling app.

It’s more than just an online language tool—it offers features like audio lessons and quizzes to help you practice at your own pace and improve your Malay.

With the Ling app, you can steadily work toward speaking more naturally and confidently, bringing you closer to native-like fluency.

Did you enjoy all these wonderful proverbs today?

If so, please remember to comment!