In this post, we’ll walk you through the most common family vocabulary in Malay, from addressing family members like ibu (mother) and bapa (father) to more extended blood relatives such as datuk (grandfather) and nenek (grandmother) to even non-blood relatives like bapa mertua (father-in-law) and ibu mertua (mother-in-law).
You’ll also learn how to use these terms in both formal and informal contexts, ensuring that you can navigate conversations comfortably, whether with close family or in more polite settings.
Understanding how to address family members is crucial for building relationships in Malay-speaking communities.
By mastering these words, you’ll not only enrich your family vocabulary in Malay but also show respect in social interactions, making you more confident in both everyday and formal conversations.
Table Of Contents
Basic Malay Vocabulary For Family
1) Bapa – Father
In Bahasa Melayu, bapa is the standard word for its English equivalent, father.
This word is used in a rather formal context, usually found in textbooks, newspapers, and slogans.
In the Malay spoken context, the Malays often call or regard their fathers with titles such as ayah, abah, abi and walid.
The first two originated from Arabic, and the latter are from Arabic. These words all point to the one exact meaning: father.
2) Ibu – Mother
You’ll often come across the word Ibu if you watch Malay dramas and films.
In Malay, both formal and spoken contexts use the word to signify their mother: ibu.
You can find the word ibu both in Malay songs and news reports.
Still, Malaysians use other words to call their mothers: mak, mama, and ummi.
The first two are from Bahasa Malaysia, and the last is borrowed from Arabic.
3) Anak lelaki – Son
In Malay, anak generally means a child.
Adding the word lelaki afterward gives it a whole new meaning: a son; anak lelaki.
Yes, in Malay, lelaki means male.
4) Anak perempuan – Daughter
As the example before shows, lelaki equates to a son when put after the word anak.
Using the same process, if you add the word perempuan, which means female, right after anak, you’ll get the Malay word for a daughter: anak perempuan.
5) Abang – Brother
One’s brother is called abang by Malay native speakers.
Usually, abang is used to regard an older brother – you don’t call your brother abang if he’s younger than you.
Instead, you call him adik lelaki.
Adik general means a younger sibling, so you need to add the genders at the back, perempuan (female) or lelaki (male), to be more specific.
Also, the word abang is used as a term of endearment by Malay wives.
Typically, the local wives use the word abang to call their husbands because the term implies a degree of respect and affection.
Some pro tip for you – If you want to visit Malaysia and stop by the street markets to buy some local Malaysian street food, surprise the hawkers by calling them abang.
Who knows, you might get a cheaper price!
6) Kakak – Sister
Similar to abang, if a woman is older than you, you can call them kakak.
Commonly, it’s shortened to kak.
If your female sibling is younger, you call her your adik perempuan.
You may hear this term is extensively used among family members, friends, and colleagues.
7) Ibubapa – Parents
The equivalent word for parents in Malay is ibubapa.
Yes, it combines ibu (mother) and bapa (father), forming a whole new word and meaning.
8) Anak – Child
As mentioned earlier, the word anak in Malay means a child.
The plural version of children in English is anak-anak in Bahasa Melayu.
9) Keluarga – Family
In the Malay language, the word for family is keluarga.
The plural form “families” is keluarga-keluarga.
10) Ibu saudara – Aunt/ Auntie
Aunt/ Auntie in Malay is ibu saudara.
To break the term down, the word ibu, as you know, means mother, while saudara means siblings. Literally, it figuratively refers to a female sibling of your parents.
However, in Malaysia, this term is normally used in a standard, formal context. When speaking, people usually regard ibu saudara as makcik.
In Malaysia, it has been a culture for the locals to call an elderly woman makcik, even though she’s not your kin.
It’s a way of conveying one’s respect to somebody older than one’s own age.
11) Bapa saudara – Uncle
Similar to ibu saudara, the Malay term for uncle is bapa saudara, which means a male sibling of either your father or mother.
Don’t be surprised if a girl calls you pakcik if you’re in Malaysia; it’s the local norm.
A man who appears older than one’s age is often regarded as pakcik, though without blood relations.
So, if you’re around Malaysia and want to ask if an elderly person is doing okay, feel free to say, “Pakcik, are you OK?”
12) Anak saudara perempuan – Niece
The translation for your siblings’ daughter in Bahasa Melayu is anak saudara perempuan. Let’s break down this term:
Anak = Child
Saudara = Siblings
Perempuan = Female
In Malaysia, people will say anak saudara (literally, sibling’s child) when referring to their niece.
This is because some words aren’t gendered in Malay, and this one is a particular example.
But if you want to specify the gender, add the word perempuan at the back so people can better understand you.
13) Anak saudara lelaki – Nephew
Same as anak saudara perempuan, anak saudara lelaki is the translation of nephew in Bahasa Malaysia, but just anak saudara will work as will in referring to nephew.
14) Nenek – Grandmother
Nenek is the standard Malay word for grandmother, used in both formal and casual settings.
15) Datuk – Grandfather
Datuk is the word for grandfather.
This is the standard form, but the locals typically shorten it to atuk or tok.
16) Cucu – Grandchild(ren)
The translation of grandchild in Malay is cucu.
The plural form “grandchildren” is translated as cucu-cicit.
17) Sepupu – Cousin
In Malaysia, we call a cousin a sepupu.
Here’s an example: “Hi everyone, meet Alan. He’s my sepupu (cousin).”
18) Suami – Husband
One common word used to indicate husband is suami.
Sometimes, on a casual note, one’s husband is translated as lelaki orang.
19) Isteri – Wife
Identical to the previous example, there’s a standard term for referring to a wife; sister.
In the Malay spoken context, isteri is used extensively, but at times, it’s interchangeable with another term: orang rumah.
20) Bapa mertua – Father in-law
If you don’t know how to say ‘father-in-law’ in Bahasa Malaysia, here’s how.
However, a local often calls his or her father-in-law ayah mertua, as bapa is only used in formal contexts.
21) Ibu mertua – Mother in-law
This is the term for your mother-in-law in the Malay language.
If you’ve been a fan of Malaysia’s TV programs, you’ll come across this term often!
22) Kakak ipar – Sister in-law
If your sister-in-law is older than you, she is called kakak ipar.
If she’s younger, you should regard her as adik ipar.
23) Abang ipar – Brother in-law
Brother in-law in Bahasa Melayu is abang ipar.
If you in-laws are younger, call them adik ipar.
24) Sulung – Eldest
The first sibling is often regarded as anak sulung, which translates to the eldest child.
So, if you’re referring to the eldest sister or brother, include the words sulung in the terms kakak sulung and abang sulung.
25) Bongsu – Youngest
On the contrary, the youngest one is called bongsu.
So, the youngest child is known as anak bongsu.
26) Pasangan – Spouse
The word for spouse in Bahasa Melayu is pasangan.
Let’s see how this word is used. Here’s an example: Dia ialah pasangan saya (He is my spouse).
27) Adik-beradik – Siblings
Adik-beradik is the Malay word for siblings.
It’s commonly used when you introduce yourself in Malay, where the locals would say saya ada dua orang adik-beradik, which means I have two siblings.
All Family Vocabulary You Need To Know In One Table!
| English | Malay | English | Malay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Father | Bapa | Mother | Ibu |
| Son | Anak lelaki | Daughter | Anak perempuan |
| Brother | Abang | Sister | Kakak |
| Parents | Ibubapa | Child | Anak |
| Family | Keluarga | Aunt/Auntie | Ibu saudara |
| Uncle | Bapa saudara | Niece | Anak saudara perempuan |
| Nephew | Anak saudara lelaki | Grandmother | Nenek |
| Grandfather | Datuk | Grandchild(ren) | Cucu |
| Cousin | Sepupu | Husband | Suami |
| Wife | Isteri | Father-in-law | Bapa mertua |
| Mother-in-law | Ibu mertua | Sister-in-law | Kakak ipar |
| Brother-in-law | Abang ipar | Eldest | Sulung |
| Youngest | Bongsu | Spouse | Pasangan |
| Siblings | Adik-beradik |
How Do You Say Family In Malay?
In Malay, the word for “family” is keluarga.
This term encompasses not only the immediate family, like parents and siblings, but also extends to the broader family unit, including aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.
In Malay culture, keluarga holds deep importance, symbolizing a strong sense of unity and support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Vocabulary In Malay
What Do Malaysians Call Their Mother?
In Malaysia, the common word for “mother” is ibu, though mak is also widely used, especially in informal settings.
Ibu is slightly more formal, while mak feels more affectionate and personal.
These terms reflect the closeness of family life in Malaysia, where showing respect and love toward parents is culturally significant.
You may even hear affectionate variations like “mama” in some families, blending traditional and modern influences in the language.
What Does Abi Mean In Malay?
In Malay, abi is not a native Malay term but is often borrowed from Arabic, where it means “my father.”
In some Malay families, abi is used as a loving term for fathers, reflecting cultural ties to Arabic-speaking Islamic traditions.
While abi is less common than “ayah” or “bapa” (the standard Malay word for father), it highlights the influence of Islamic culture on language, especially within close family relationships.
Why Do You Call Everyone Uncles And Aunties In Malaysia?
In Malaysia, addressing others as “Uncle” and “Auntie” goes beyond family—it’s a way to show respect and warmth.
Malaysians often use these terms for older individuals, whether related or not, as a sign of friendly familiarity.
This practice reflects the community-oriented nature of Malaysian society, where showing respect to elders is highly valued.
Calling “Uncle” and “Auntie” fosters a sense of kinship and unity, making social interactions more inclusive and friendly.
More Family-Related Vocabulary!
Here’s a list of a few more words to add to your Malay family vocabulary:
| English | Malay |
|---|---|
| Happy family | Keluarga bahagia |
| Family members | Ahli-ahli keluarga |
| My family | Keluarga saya |
| Your family | Keluarga kamu |
| Family tree | Salasilah keluarga |
| Kin/Relatives | Saudara-mara/Sanak-saudara |
| Step family | Keluarga tiri |
| Foster family | Keluarga angkat |
Use These Family Words Like A Local Now!
In this guide on essential Malay family vocabulary, we covered everything from the basics of addressing immediate family to the unique ways Malaysians use family terms in daily life.
Beginning with basic Malay vocabulary for family, to all family vocabulary you need to know in one table, plus more family-related vocabulary, we explored words for family members like ibu (mother) and cultural insights, such as why everyone is called “uncle” or “sister” in public.
This cultural practice shows how deeply respect and connectedness are woven into everyday interactions.
In Malaysia, family titles like pakcik (uncle) or kakak (sister) go beyond family, helping strangers feel like part of the community.
Embracing these expressions improves your Malay and brings you closer to the spirit of Malaysia’s warm, welcoming culture. Want to learn more?
Download the Ling app to explore Malay basic words and phrases in a fun, interactive way, and start speaking like a local today!
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