Are you planning to visit Malaysia or connect with the local Malay-speaking community?
Introducing yourself in Malay helps break the ice and leaves a positive impression on native speakers.
Phrases like Nama saya… (My name is…) or Saya dari… (I am from…) are simple yet effective ways to communicate.
Whether meeting new people or exploring a new culture, mastering these expressions will make your interactions smoother and more enjoyable.
In this blog, we’ll explore 11 essential phrases to introduce yourself in Malay, complete with examples and breakdowns of their meanings.
Let’s dive into these phrases to start speaking confidently in Malay!
Table Of Contents
11 Common Phrases When Introducing Yourself In Malay
1. Nama saya…. (My name is)
When introducing yourself, people first want to know your name.
In Malay, you simply say Nama saya… followed by your name.
Unlike English, Malay doesn’t use auxiliary verbs like “is, am, are,” so you just place the words together.
For instance, Nama saya Ali directly translates to “My name Ali.”
Understanding this structure reveals one of Malay’s key grammatical traits: simplicity.
Learning Nama saya allows you to start conversations smoothly, whether meeting someone new or addressing a group.
It’s a foundational phrase you’ll find yourself using frequently in Malaysia.
2. Saya (berasal )dari (I am originated from)
To share where you’re from, the phrase Saya berasal dari… works perfectly.
For instance, Saya berasal dari London means “I am from London.”
Saya = I
Berasal = Originate
Dari = from
If you prefer a simpler approach, you can drop the word berasal and just say, Saya dari….
For example, Saya dari London conveys the same meaning.
Both forms are commonly understood so that you can choose the most natural one.
3. Umur saya X tahun (I am X years old)
Mentioning your age is another important part of self-introduction.
The phrase Umur saya means “My age is” followed by your age and the word tahun, which means “years.”
For instance, Umur saya 25 tahun translates to “My age is 25 years.”
Umur = Age
Saya = My
Tahun = Years
An alternative way to say this is Saya berumur...(I am aged…), (turning umur, a noun, into a verb — berumur), which also works in formal contexts.
In casual speech, you can simplify further by saying just Saya 25 tahun (I am 25 years old).
All these variations are commonly used, so choose based on the situation.
4. Saya suka (I like/I like to)
Expressing your interests or hobbies in Malay is a great way to connect with locals.
In Malay, Saya suka… means “I like…” and can be followed by a noun or a verb.
For instance, Saya suka makan nasi lemak means “I like eating nasi lemak,” and Saya suka kucing means “I like cats.”
This versatile phrase allows you to personalize your introduction.
You can easily share your interests whether you enjoy reading, sports, or food.
5. Saya (seorang)… (I am a + job title)
When talking about your profession, use the phrase Saya seorang followed by your job in Malay.
For example, Saya seorang jurutera means “I am an engineer,” and Saya seorang doktor means “I am a doctor.”
The word seorang combines se (a contraction of satu, meaning “one”) and orang (person).
Orang translates to “person.” In this context, orang functions as a classifier — “a person of teacher/ doctor.”
English uses collective nouns like “a flock of sheep” or “a stack of books,” Malay frequently employs noun classifiers.
This classifier adds formality, but it’s common in casual conversations to omit it and say Saya guru (I’m a teacher).
Understanding this flexibility ensures you can adjust your speech based on the context.
6. Saya ingin menjadi seorang…/ Saya nak jadi… (I want to be + ambition)
To express your aspirations, the phrase Saya ingin menjadi seorang… is perfect.
For example, Saya ingin menjadi seorang guru means “I want to be a teacher.”
Saya = I
Ingin = Want
Menjadi = To become
Seorang = A
In informal conversations, you can replace ingin with nak, and simplify menjadi to jadi, to Saya nak jadi….
For example, Saya nak jadi atlet means “I want to be an athlete.”
This phrase is a great way to share your dreams and ambitions, whether formal or casual.
You can also use this phrase to tell people your aspirations.
7. Saya tinggal di/kat (I live in/at)
If you want to tell someone where you live, say Saya tinggal di… (formal) or Saya tinggal kat… (informal), followed by the location.
For example, Saya tinggal di Kuala Lumpur means “I live in Kuala Lumpur.”
The word di is a locative marker used for formal contexts, while kat is its informal equivalent.
For example, Saya tinggal kat Jalan Ampang means “I live at Jalan Ampang.”
Both versions are widely used and understood.
8. Saya lahir di/kat (I was born in…)
This phrase is used to share where you were born.
The word lahir means “to be born,” so Saya lahir di or Saya lahir kat can be followed by a city, state, or hospital.
For example, Saya lahir di Selangor, Malaysia means “I was born in Selangor, Malaysia.”
And Saya lahir kat Hospital Langkawi—“I was born in Hospital Langkawi”
9. Saya lahir pada (I was born on)
If you want to share your birthday, use Saya lahir pada followed by the date.
For example, Saya lahir pada 30 Mac means “I was born on March 30th.”
The word pada is a temporal marker indicating time, and it’s essential for specifying dates.
This phrase is particularly helpful when discussing birthdays or life events.
10. Saya boleh cakap Bahasa X (I can speak language X)
Mentioning the languages you speak can be a great conversation starter.
The phrase Saya boleh cakap Bahasa… means “I can speak [language].”
For instance, Saya boleh cakap Bahasa Melayu means “I can speak Malay.”
Saya = I
Boleh = can
Cakap = speak
Bahasa = language
Alternatively, you can say Saya boleh berbahasa Melayu, turning the noun Bahasa “language” into a verb—berbahasa “languaging” (I can language in Malay), which is a slightly more formal way of expressing the same idea.
Sharing your language skills shows effort and can make conversations more engaging.
Everything Put Together!
Now that you’ve learned these essential phrases, here’s an example of how you can introduce yourself in Malay:
| English | Malay |
|---|---|
| Q: Please introduce yourself. | Q: Sila perkenalkan diri. |
| A: My name is Adam. | A: Nama saya Adam. |
| I am 20 years old, and I was born in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. | Umur saya 20 tahun dan saya lahir di Hospital Kuala Lumpur. |
| Currently, I live in Malacca. | Sekarang saya tinggal di Melaka. |
| I like to play football, and I want to be a professional football player. | Saya suka bermain bola speak dan saya mahu menjadi seorang pemain bola profesional. |
| I can speak in 3 languages; Malay, English, and Japanese. | Saya boleh bertutur dalam tiga bahasa; Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Inggeris dan Bahasa Jepun. |
How Do You Say “Introduce Yourself In Malay” In Malay
To say Introduce yourself in Malay, you can use the phrase perkenalkan diri dalam Bahasa Melayu.
This might happen in Malay-medium schools, workplaces, or social events where Malay is the primary language of communication, and you are asked to introduce yourself.
Another related expression is Sila perkenalkan diri (Please introduce yourself).
This phrase is often heard in formal settings such as classrooms, business meetings, or community events.
For example, a teacher might say, Sila perkenalkan diri kepada kelas (Please introduce yourself to the class).
It’s a polite and structured way to prompt someone to share information about themselves.
Recognizing this phrase is important, especially when self-introductions are expected, as it helps you respond appropriately and confidently.
Frequently Asked Questions About Introduce Yourself In Malay
How Do You Politely Introduce Yourself In Malay?
To politely introduce yourself in Malay, begin with a basic greeting in Malay such as “Assalamualaikum” (peace be upon you) if you are meeting a Malay Muslim, or a simple Hai/ Hello “Hi/ Hello” is completely fine too.
After that, say “Nama saya…” (My name is…) and mention your name.
You can also share a bit about yourself, like where you’re from (Saya berasal dari…) or what you do (Saya seorang…).
This helps to establish a friendly conversation and shows interest in building a connection.
Regardless of the setting, maintain good eye contact, smile, and use a respectful tone.
Even if you’re not fluent in Malay, Malaysians appreciate making an effort to speak the language.
They’re often willing to switch to English if needed, but your politeness and willingness to engage in their language will always leave a positive impression.
How Do You Introduce Yourself In Malaysia?
In Malaysia, how you introduce yourself depends on the cultural background of the person you’re meeting, but a polite and friendly approach works universally.
For Malay people in Malaysia, the traditional greeting is “Assalammu’alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,” which is often shortened to “Assalammualaikum.”
It means, “May the peace, blessings, and mercy of Allah be upon you.”
In response, the greeting “Wa’alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh” (or simply “Wa’alaikummussalam“) is used, meaning “The same to you, and may Allah grant you His blessings.”
This greeting is often accompanied by a handshake with the right hand or both hands, followed by placing the palm on the chest as a sign of sincerity.
The other person will usually reciprocate the gesture, and then you can begin your introduction.
For Chinese and Indian Malaysians, a simple handshake is the most common greeting.
After shaking hands, proceed with your introduction.
Regardless of ethnicity, always greet with a smile, maintain good eye contact, and introduce yourself with a friendly Hi or Selamat pagi, followed by your name and any other relevant details.
This approach reflects Malaysia’s diverse and multicultural society, respecting local customs while building rapport.
What Is Introduction In Malay?
The word for “introduction” in Malay is pengenalan.
It’s used in various contexts, from personal introductions (pengenalan diri) to formal presentations.
If you’re asked to introduce yourself, the phrase sila perkenalkan diri means “please introduce yourself.”
Learn Self-Introduction With Ling Today!
In this blog, we’ve explored a range of essential phrases and vocabulary that will help you introduce yourself in Malay.
From common Malay phrases like Nama saya… (My name is) and Saya suka… (I like…), to more specific expressions such as Saya tinggal di… (I live in…) and Saya boleh cakap Bahasa X (I can speak X language), you now have the tools to engage with locals more meaningfully.
Additionally, we’ve addressed how to politely introduce yourself in Malay and provided key insights into how to approach introductions in various Malaysian settings in How Do You Introduce Yourself In Malaysia?
If you’re eager to expand your knowledge and master more Malay phrases, learning with the Ling app is a fantastic way to go!
With its gamified approach, you can dive deeper into vocabulary, sentence structure, and everyday phrases like these, making language learning enjoyable and effective.
Don’t miss out—download Ling today and start learning Malay to enhance your travel experience now!
