There’s no Malay on Duolingo. And it’s quite surprising, considering Malay is spoken by over 77 million people worldwide and serves as the official language of Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore.
Luckily, there is a great alternative in Ling. The Ling app offers a full Malay course with interactive lessons, native speaker audio, and gamified exercises. And with Ling’s Malay course, you can start speaking, reading, and understanding the language from day one.
Learning Malaysian is more than memorizing words
Explore more →
Why Is There No Malay On Duolingo?
The exact reason why Duolingo has not added Malay is unclear, but several factors could help explain why the language is not currently available on the platform. These include the resources required to build a course, contributor support, market demand, and the similarities between Malay and Indonesian.
- Resource constraint: Building a full course requires time, money, and expertise to cover grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context. Developing a high-quality Malay course also takes significant effort.
- Contributor support: Duolingo no longer uses unpaid volunteers to build or update its courses. The company shut down its unpaid Contributor Program and Duolingo Incubator in March 2021, transitioning course creation and maintenance to paid staff and professional contractors. This means the development of a Malay course would now require Duolingo to allocate its professional resources to creating and maintaining one.
- Market demand and prioritization: Duolingo focuses on languages that have the largest potential user base. While Malay is widely spoken, the platform may prioritize languages with higher global demand to reach more learners.
Some may wonder if similarity to Indonesian is a factor. While the two languages share many words, they are not identical. A proper Malay course would cover its unique grammar, vocabulary, and regional variations, which require separate development from Indonesian.
Until Duolingo adds Malay, learners need to look for alternatives that offer a complete and practical Malay course. And one perfect alternative is Ling.
Why Malay Deserves A Spot On Duolingo?
Malay deserves a spot on Duolingo because of its large global speaker base, cultural importance, and widespread use across Southeast Asia. Although the language shares similarities with Indonesian, it has its own vocabulary, regional variations, and cultural identity that make it worthy of a dedicated course.
- Large speaker base: Malay has over 200 million speakers worldwide, with millions more using it as a second language. That gives it a substantial potential audience among language learners.
- It is widely used across Southeast Asia: Malay is the official language of Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. It is also spoken in southern Thailand and parts of Indonesia, including the Riau Islands, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and West Java. Millions of people use it for work, education, and everyday communication.
- Malay is not simply Indonesian: Although Malay and Indonesian share many similarities, they are not identical. A dedicated Malay course would allow learners to explore the language’s distinct vocabulary, regional usage, and cultural context rather than treating it as interchangeable with Indonesian.
- Rich culture: The language is rich in history, literature, and modern media. From traditional poems to contemporary music, Malay has a vibrant cultural footprint. Learning the language can therefore give learners a better understanding of the communities and cultures in which it is spoken.
With its widespread use, cultural significance, and distinct linguistic identity, Malay has a strong case for greater representation among language-learning platforms like Duolingo.
Is Malay Hard To Learn?
Malay is generally considered relatively easy for English speakers to learn. The language uses the Latin alphabet, so you do not have to memorize a new writing system. Its pronunciation is also generally straightforward, and words are often pronounced the way they are written. Also, its grammar is simpler than that of many other languages. For example, there are no verb conjugations or gendered nouns, which makes forming sentences much easier.
However, that does not mean there are no challenges. Some vocabulary and expressions are unique to the region, and mastering the right tone or context for formal and informal speech takes practice. Still, with consistent practice and the right tools, you can start understanding and speaking Malay much faster than you might expect.
Duolingo Vs Ling: How Do They Compare, And Which App Supports Malay?
If you want to learn Malay, Ling is the better choice between the two because it offers a dedicated Malay course, while Duolingo does not currently offer Malay.
Duolingo is a great app for many languages, but it is not always the best choice for languages like Malay that require a focus on pronunciation, practical phrases, and regional context.
Ling, on the other hand, provides a full Malay course. It includes native speaker audio, grammar explanations, practical vocabulary, and cultural notes that help you understand how the language is actually used.
Here is a brief comparison of the two platforms for learning Malay:
| Feature | Duolingo | Ling |
|---|---|---|
| Malay Course Available | No | Yes |
| Native Speaker Audio | Limited | Yes |
| Grammar Explanations | Minimal | Yes |
| Speaking and Listening Practice | Basic | Strong |
| Real-World Conversation Practice | No | Yes |
| Customizable Learning Path | No | Yes |
| Dialog Feature to Practice Conversations | No | Yes |
| Free Trial Available | Yes | Yes |
What Is the Best Alternative To Learn Malay?
I am glad you asked. There is one very obvious recommendation that can be made here, and that is the Ling app. If you want to learn Malay the way it is actually spoken, Ling gives you that experience. You won’t just learn vocabulary; you will learn how Malay is actually used in everyday conversations.
Ling makes lessons feel alive. You can track your progress as you move through topics and exercises, and seeing yourself improve keeps you motivated. The app turns learning into something you actually look forward to instead of a chore.
Here are some of the features that make Ling a great option for learning Malay:
- Gamified lessons for engaging learning.
- Native-speaker audio for accurate pronunciation.
- Writing exercises to build Malay writing skills.
- Review tools to reinforce vocabulary and phrases.
- Interactive dialog feature for conversation practice.
- Voice recognition for speaking practice.
- Reminders and streaks for consistent learning.
- Multiple levels from beginner to advanced.
One feature that really stands out is the dialog feature. You can practice conversations in Malay without feeling self-conscious. It is like having a safe space to try out your skills before using them with real people.
What makes Ling the best choice is its focus on practical, everyday language. From greetings to phrases you will actually use at work, school, or when traveling, Ling prepares you to communicate confidently. If your goal is to start speaking Malay quickly and naturally, this is the app that will get you there.
Who Is The Ling App Best For?
Ling is a great choice for beginners, travelers, heritage learners, and anyone who wants a structured way to learn Malay. Its bite-sized lessons and practical exercises make it easier to build your skills gradually, without having to piece together your learning from different resources.
It can be a good fit for:
- Complete beginners who want step-by-step guidance with Malay vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and basic conversations.
- Travelers who want to learn useful Malay words and phrases before visiting Malaysia or other Malay-speaking regions.
- Heritage learners who want to reconnect with the Malay spoken by their family or community.
- Busy learners who prefer short lessons they can fit around work, school, or other daily commitments.
- Language enthusiasts who want to explore Malay, especially since it is not available on many mainstream language-learning platforms.
- Interactive learners who want to combine vocabulary, writing, listening, and conversation practice in one app.
Ling App Pricing
- Monthly price: $16.99
- Six-month price: $64.99
- Annual price: $89.99 (with 7-day free trial, if the user hasn’t used the free trial ever before)
Why Serious Learners Choose Ling
If you are serious about learning Malay, Ling is the app that can actually help you make real progress. From the very first lesson, you start using words and phrases you will encounter in daily life, not just memorizing vocabulary lists.
Ling keeps learning and engaging. Lessons are interactive and gamified, so you can track your progress and see improvement with every session. This helps you stay motivated even if you only have a few minutes a day to practice. Ling also focuses on practical, everyday language. You learn greetings, common expressions, and sentences you would actually use at work, on travel, or in social settings. Many learners find that after just a few lessons, they can handle basic conversations with confidence.
Here’s what real users have to say:
“Great for learning Hindi and non-European languages if you’re English-speaking; honestly, better than Duolingo if you’re actually trying to learn as quickly as possible. The lesson structure and challenges help you learn how to speak the language and recognize sentence structure patterns as a beginner. Plus, no annoying ads with the free version, so you can continue learning without feeling distracted.”
★★★★★ – Fi
“This app is sooo good! I’m really enjoying learning new languages, especially Thai! The lessons are fun, easy to follow, and super effective. Highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn a new language!”
★★★★★ – Ayesh Ednamzug
“Best language learning app in my opinion. Other famous apps won’t include unpopular languages, but Ling supports them all, every country and language.”
★★★★★ – Epsilon Enigma
What You’ll Learn In The First Week Of Joining Ling?
With Ling’s 7-day free trial, you can start building a practical foundation in Malay within your first week. You’ll begin with basic introductions and everyday phrases before moving into simple sentence structures and your first Malay dialogues.
You won’t become fluent in seven days, of course. However, you can build enough vocabulary and familiarity to start recognizing and using simple Malay in everyday situations.
Here’s what your first week could look like:
| Day | What You’ll Learn | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Greetings | Hello- Hai Hello Tom- Hai Tom |
| Day 2 | Personal Introductions | Nama Saya Mary – My name is Mary. Hello, What is your Name?- Hai, Siapa nama awak? |
| Day 3 | Farewell expressions | Goodbye- Babai |
| Day 4 | Basic Numbers & Counting | One, two, three – Satu, dua, tiga How much is it? – Berapa harganya? |
| Day 5 | Useful Phrases / Politeness | Please- Tolong Thank you very much – Terima kasih banyak-banyak |
| Day 6 | Food & Cafe Dining | Coffee, please – Kopi, tolong. |
| Day 7 | Fundamental Questions | Where is…? – Di manakah…? Do you speak English? – Adakah anda bercakap bahasa Inggeris? |
Note: This is only a starting point. Depending on how much time you dedicate to learning each day, you could cover far more than these basics within your first seven days.
Frequently Asked Questions When Learning Malay
Is There Malay On Duolingo?
No, Duolingo does not currently offer a Malay course. Although the platform has courses for several Asian languages, Malay is not among them. If you’re looking for an interactive way to learn Malay, Ling offers a dedicated course with interactive lessons, native-speaker audio, practical vocabulary, and conversation practice.
Can I Really Learn Malay On My Own?
Absolutely. With Ling, you can practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking at your own pace. The app guides you through lessons step by step, so even if you’re learning by yourself, you won’t feel lost.
How Long Will It Take Before I Can Start Speaking Malay?
If you dedicate even a few minutes a day, you can start using basic phrases and simple sentences in just a few weeks. The interactive lessons and chatbot practice help you build confidence fast, so you’ll feel ready to speak sooner than you might expect.
Is It Possible To Become Fluent Using The Ling App?
Ling can get you really far. You’ll learn vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, and you can even practice conversations with the chatbot. While speaking with native speakers and using Malay in real life will help you reach full fluency, Ling gives you the tools and confidence to communicate in everyday situations. It’s a solid way to start speaking Malay quickly.
Can I Learn Malay For Free With Ling?
Ling offers a 7-day free trial, which gives you an opportunity to explore the app and start learning Malay for free before deciding whether to continue with a paid plan.
Start Learning Malay With Ling!
Not sure what to do next? Start by setting some small, achievable goals for your language-learning journey. Learning Malay isn’t as hard as it seems if you focus on steady daily, weekly, or monthly progress.
If you want to build basic vocabulary and pick up useful phrases quickly, try the Ling app. It offers more than 70 language courses and 200+ lessons designed to make learning easier and help you remember what you study.
Don’t wait any longer! Download the Ling app now on the Play Store or App Store and start your journey to learn Malay today!
