Learn Malaysian
with Ling

Use our comprehensive lessons, conversation topics, and more to connect with those closest to you

Used by 5M Ling Learners

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What makes learning with Ling special

Interactive exercises

Improve your pronunciation by starting a conversation with our app’s interactive chatbot

Engaging activities

Practice your skills with mini-games and track your progress with fun quizzes

Mix of languages

Choose from over 60 languages, both big and small, and listen to audio from native speakers

Proven results

Backed by linguistic research, our learning methods can help you achieve fluency in record time

Master 4 language skills in 10 minutes a day

1
1-3 minutes to learn new vocabulary
Select a language, lesson, and topic of study. Get introduced to new vocabulary and any relevant grammar tips.
2
3-5 minutes to review
Quick comprehension checks! You might be asked to match the photo with the word, sort the sentence, or match the cards together.
3
3-5 minutes to test your listening skills
Listen to the conversation between two native speakers. Next, fill in the blanks of their conversation accordingly.
4
Done!
Did that seem too easy? Don’t worry, Ling offers lessons for all 5 language levels, from beginner to advanced.

Join over 5 million language learners for a 100% guaranteed amazing language experience

Frequently asked questions about learning Malaysian

Is Malay Easy To Learn?

Generally speaking, most people describe Malay as a straightforward and easy language to learn. Since it’s a non-tonal language, you can learn vocabulary and phrases in just a few weeks!

 

It’s true that many Malaysians today also use English, but there are still 18 million people worldwide that speak Standard Malay, and the next one could be you!

 

Here are some quick facts about the Malay language to help:

 

  • Grammar: Malay uses the Subject-Verb-Object word order, similar to English, with additional grammar rules. Watch out for verb tenses (linking verbs, adverbs) and cases.
  • Vocabulary: Malay is a rich language with a history of trade and migration, not to mention loan words from Sanskrit, English, Chinese, Arabic, Dutch, and Portuguese.
  • Speaking/Listening: Malay uses simple phonology, which means that one character generally represents one sound. To help you out, try listening to Malay news and podcasts in order to compare formal and informal speaking.
  • Reading/Writing: Although there are two forms of reading and writing Malay, the Standard Malay alphabet will suffice. Malay, or Bahasa Melayu, primarily uses the Latin Alphabet (Rumi) when written.
How Can I Learn Malaysian?

It’s a common misconception that you have to be young in order to pick up a new language. It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, all it takes to learn a language is time, effort, and receptive ears!

 

Of course, it doesn’t help to also have a great learning resource by your side. The Ling App offers 200+ lessons in over 60 languages! You can take lessons on numbers, family, navigation, clothing, traveling, and so much more!

 

On top of that, here are some tips to help you learn Malaysian even better:

 

  • Take note of frequently used Malay words and phrases
  • Search for context clues about any vocabulary you don’t know
  • Watch a Malaysian TV series in your favorite genre
  • Start with the local news to practice formal Standard Malay
  • Utilizie all the online resources you can, from the Ling App to YouTube
  • Listen to local radio stations and podcasts to improve your accent and pronunciation
  • Try to mimic native speakers’ gestures, facial expressions, tones, and accents
  • If possible, practice with a native Malay speaker
How Long Does It Take To Learn Malaysian?

The answer to this question depends on several factors. Most notably, the amount of time and effort you put into learning each day, and the overall difficulty of the language.

According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Malay is cateogorized as a category II language. This means that ;earning Malay through English will take 900 hours to reach proficiency. That might sound like a lot of hours at first, but Malay is used in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore, so imagine the possibilities!

If your native language is similar to the Malayo-Polynesian language families, you’ll find learning Malay much easier than other language learners. But, even if you aren’t familiar, this doesn’t mean you can’t learn the language. With effective study habits and the right learning resource, you can learn Malay in no time!

If you’re looking for a great learning resource, all you need is the Ling App! With Ling, you can practice all the language skills, reading, writing, speaking, and listening, while having non-stop fun!

Should I Learn Malay?

Since Malay is a highly used language in Southeast Asia, and Malaysia continues to grow as a popular tourist destination, you should definitely learn the language if you can!

Here are some additional benefits to learning Malay:

Help You With Your Career And Educational Growth

Malaysia’s economy continues to grow each day. This means there’s that are more and more opportunities for businesses in Malaysia. Learning Malay will guarantee a great resume and help attract potential employers if you’re in the market for a new job.

Unlock Your Potential In Language Learning

Do you like learning languages just for fun? Well, you might’ve also noticed an improvement in your brain power. Learning a new language has been proven to help develop critical thinking skills and improve long-term memory.

 

People who are multilingual also tend to have better communication skills, time management, and study habits.

So, what are you waiting for? Unlock your potential  and become a polyglot by learning Malay.

A Better Understanding Of Cultures And Malaysian People

Malaysia is a melting pot of culture, food, personalities, religion, and history. That being said, learning Malay is an excellent start if you want to learn more about Malaysia and have a profound knowledge of the Malay language.

Find New Friends That Are Interested In Learning Malaysian

One of the best benefits of learning a new language is meeting new people and forming new friendships. Plus, if you happen to make friends with a Malaysian, then you can practice your language skills even more!

Don’t worry, you don’t need to be fluent in Malay to speak. Start with basic conversations, such as greetings and hobbies. From there, you can find common ground and learn more about each other while having fun with language!