When it comes to humor, Malaysians really know how to blend language, culture, and clever wordplay to create jokes that everyone can appreciate.
If you want to learn about Malay jokes, this post will be worth reading!
Just like a valuable “sorry” in Malay—“sorrynggit” (pronounced similarly to seringgit, which means ‘one ringgit’ in Malay)! Get it?
In this post, we’ll dive into ten classic Malay jokes that highlight how mixing Bahasa Malaysia with a bit of Malaysian-style English can add unexpected humor to everyday situations.
Whether they make you chuckle, roll your eyes, or burst out laughing, these jokes are sure to bring a smile to your face.
So, let’s jump right in and enjoy some good laughs together!
Table Of Contents
10 Funny Jokes In Malay
1. Banyak-banyak binatang, binatang apa yang akan tiba tak lama lagi? Kambing soon.
Translation: Among all the animals, which one will arrive soon? Kambing soon.
Explanation: Kambing is the word for “goat,” and the punchline “kambing soon” sounds similar to “coming soon,” leading to the humorous conclusion that the goat is the animal that will arrive shortly.
2. Perkataan apa yang dieja salah dalam kamus? Salah.
Translation: What word is spelled wrong in the dictionary? wrong.
Explanation: This joke is self-explanatory and clever, as the answer salah (which means “wrong”) is indeed spelled “wrong” in the dictionary. Funny, right?
3. Cuka apa yang paling manis? Cuka cama kamu.
Translation: What vinegar is the sweetest? Your vinegar.
Explanation: The answer cuka cama kamu literally means “your vinegar”. But why is “your vinegar” the sweetest? Because cuka cama kamu is also a cute, baby-talk way of saying “suka sama kamu,” which means “I love you.” LOL!
4. Banyak-banyak ikan, ikan apa yang miskin? Ikan kering.
Translation: Among all the fish, which one is poor? Dried fish.
Explanation: In Malay, the word kering means “dried,” and is often associated with being poor. So, when asked which fish is poor, the response “ikan kering” humorously links the two meanings together.
5. Bayangkan kamu terjatuh dari langit tinggi tanpa payung terjun. Apa nak buat? Berhentilah membayangkan.
Translation: Imagine you fall from a great height without a parachute. What to do? Stop imagining!
Explanation: This joke is pretty straightforward and works in English as well. Pretty amusing, huh?
6. Kenapa bila kita masuk kedai baju, kita tak boleh bising? Sebab ada baju tidur.
Translation: Why can’t we be loud in a clothing store? Because there are sleepwear.
Explanation: The humor comes from the dual meaning of baju tidur. As a compound noun, it means ‘sleepwear,’ but when interpreted as a sentence, it means “the clothes are sleeping”. So, you really need to have some knowledge of Malay grammar to understand this joke, LMAO!
7. Dalam banyak-banyak jin, jin apa yang hidup dalam air? Jintik-jintik.
Translation: Among all the genies, which one lives in water? Mosquito larvae.
Explanation: The joke cleverly links jin (genie) with jintik–jintik, which refers to mosquito larvae. The play on sounds in Malay creates a funny connection between the two concepts, adding to the humor.
8. Panda apa yang bikin senang hati? Pandangin awak setiap hari.
Translation: What panda makes you happy? Looking at you every day.
Explanation: The word “panda” (panda) sounds very similar to “pandang” (to look). This pun creates a sweet and humorous compliment, turning the joke into a light-hearted, flirty remark.
9. Antara kereta dan motor mana lebih tua? Motor, sebab motor pakai tongkat.
Translation: Between a car and a motorcycle, which is older? The motorcycle, because it uses a cane.
Explanation: The term “tongkat” can refer to both a cane for old people and the kickstand of a motorcycle. Got the pun?
10. Kenapa tak boleh makan ayam dan minum air coke? Sebab nanti ayam ber “coke coke.”
Translation: Why can’t you eat chicken and drink Coke? Because the chicken will go “coke coke.”
Explanation: The phrase “ber coke coke” is a wordplay on “berkokok,” which means “to crow” and is an onomatopoeia in Malay referring to the sound a rooster makes, similar to “cock-a-doodle-do!” in English, creating a playful connection between the foods and animal sounds. How about that?
How Do You Say Jokes In Malay
In Bahasa Malaysia, jokes are commonly called teka-teki, lawak, or jenaka, each with a slightly different feel.
Teka-teki (meaning “riddles” or “puzzles”) isn’t a direct translation for “joke,” but it’s widely used as it reflects the preferred local humor style, which values wordplay and clever twists.
People of all ages enjoy sharing teka-teki for a quick laugh or friendly challenge, making it a natural part of casual humor.
If you’re looking for the more direct terms, lawak and jenaka are both used.
Lawak is what you’d say for everyday jokes, the kind that makes people chuckle in casual conversation.
Jenaka has a more formal vibe, so it’s often seen in writing or structured settings.
Together, these words show the playful side of the language, where humor lives in everything from riddles to quick laughs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jokes In Malay
What Are Some Short Jokes In Malay?
Here are some short jokes in Malay.
It’s common for these jokes to take the form of a question and answer to really bring out the punchline.
Q: How does Fergie order Char Kuey Teow?
A: Mai Hum, Mai Hum.
(Char Kuey Teow is a popular Malaysian food, typically made with flat rice noodles, shrimp, cockles, Chinese sausage, eggs, bean sprouts, and chives, all cooked in a flavorful soy sauce. In Hokkien, “Mai Hum” means “no cockle (in the noodle please),” which is something we often tell Char Kuey Teow sellers, especially in Penang, who are predominantly Hokkien speakers.)
Q: What is the strongest chicken in the world?
A: Ayam Titanium.
(This is a play on words: “Ayam” means chicken, and “Ayam Titanium” sounds like “I am titanium,” referencing the lyrics from Sia’s song. Did you laugh out loud yet?)
Q: What is Malaysians’ favorite dish?
A: Astro.
(This joke plays on Astro, a popular satellite television service in Malaysia, where the term “dish” refers to both the satellite dish outside homes and a food dish.)
Q: What is Malaysians’ favorite city?
A: Siti Nurhaliza.
(This is a pun on the famous Malaysian singer Siti Nurhaliza; her first name is pronounced similarly to “city.”)
Are Malaysian People Funny?
Absolutely! Malaysians have a wonderful sense of humor shaped by their rich cultural diversity.
The mix of different ethnic groups in Malaysia, including Malays, Chinese, and Indians, contributes to a unique style of comedy that often features clever wordplay and relatable observations.
Humor is a big part of daily life, allowing people to connect and bond through laughter, whether it’s sharing jokes or funny stories.
With a lively comedy scene and many local comedians gaining popularity, it’s clear that Malaysians know how to keep things light-hearted and fun.
What Are Some Topics That You Shouldn’t Joke About In Malaysia?
Certain sensitive topics in Malaysia should be handled with care, especially in humor.
Avoid jokes about religion (especially Islam, which is the official religion), race, royalty, politics, and family members like parents, as these can be perceived as impolite or offensive.
Humor around the Malaysian Airlines MH370 tragedy is also strongly discouraged, as demonstrated by the backlash against comedian Jocelyn Chia for joking about it.
These topics touch on deeply respected aspects of Malaysian society and culture.
Religion and royalty hold significant reverence, so jokes on these can lead to serious repercussions.
Meanwhile, jokes involving family members, particularly parents, are considered impolite.
Likewise, humor about national tragedies like MH370 tends to cross a line due to the grief and impact it still carries.
Being mindful of these boundaries helps keep humor respectful and in good taste.
Your Ultimate Guide to Malay Jokes: A Handy Table
| English Translation | Malay | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Among all the animals, which one will arrive soon? Kambing soon. | Banyak-banyak binatang, binatang apa yang akan tiba tak lama lagi? Kambing soon. | “Kambing soon” sounds like “coming soon,” humorously suggesting that the goat is arriving shortly. |
| What word is spelled wrong in the dictionary? wrong. | Perkataan apa yang dieja salah dalam kamus? Salah. | The answer salah means “wrong,” cleverly pointing out that it is indeed spelled “wrong” in the dictionary. |
| What vinegar is the sweetest? Your vinegar. | Cuka apa yang paling manis? Cuka cama kamu. | Cuka cama kamu sounds like suka sama kamu, which means “I love you,” making it a cute and playful answer. |
| Among all the fish, which one is poor? Dried fish. | Banyak-banyak ikan, ikan apa yang miskin? Ikan kering. | Ikan kering plays on kering, meaning “dried” and associated with being poor, humorously linking the two meanings. |
| Imagine you fall from a great height without a parachute. What to do? Stop imagining! | Bayangkan kamu terjatuh dari langit tinggi tanpa payung terjun. Apa nak buat? Berhentilah membayangkan. | The joke humorously suggests to “stop imagining,” playing on the absurdity of the situation. |
| Why can’t we be loud in a clothing store? Because there are sleepwear. | Kenapa bila kita masuk kedai baju, kita tak boleh bising? Sebab ada baju tidur. | Baju tidur means “sleepwear,” but can also imply “the clothes are sleeping,” creating a funny twist. |
| Among all the genies, which one lives in water? Mosquito larvae. | Dalam banyak-banyak jin, jin apa yang hidup dalam air? Jintik-jintik. | This joke links jin (genie) with jintik-jintik (mosquito larvae), playing on similar sounds for comedic effect. |
| What panda makes you happy? Looking at you every day. | Panda apa yang bikin senang hati? Pandangin awak setiap hari. | “Panda” sounds like pandang to look), creating a sweet pun that serves as a light-hearted compliment. |
| Between a car and a motorcycle, which is older? The motorcycle, because it uses a cane. | Antara kereta dan motor mana lebih tua? Motor, sebab motor pakai tongkat. | Tongkat refers to both a cane and a motorcycle’s kickstand, making for a clever pun. |
| Why can’t you eat chicken and drink Coke? Because the chicken will go “coke coke.” | Kenapa tak boleh makan ayam dan minum air coke? Sebab nanti ayam ber “coke coke.” | “Ber coke coke” is a play on berkokok, the sound a rooster makes, creating a humorous connection between the food and animal sounds. |
Tell These Jokes To Your Malay Friends Now!
Now that you’ve got these fun Malay jokes under your belt, you’re ready to bring some laughs to your Malay friends!
We covered a variety of joke types, from quick one-liners in Short Jokes in Malay to insights into Malaysia’s unique humor in Are Malaysian People Funny?
You’ll find that Malay jokes often play on English, showcasing Malaysia’s rich multicultural vibe.
But remember, humor varies across cultural lines—jokes that resonate with one group might not connect the same way with another.
Our section on Topics You Shouldn’t Joke About offers helpful pointers to keep things friendly and respectful.
Also, a huge shoutout to Tiktok user profbotak for all the fantastic Malay jokes shared here—check out their TikTok channel for even more clever and hilarious content in Bahasa Malaysia!
And if you’re looking to dive deeper into the Malay language, Ling is a fantastic app.
It’s a fun, gamified way to learn Malay in just a few days, with free lessons covering everything from reading and writing to speaking and cultural tips.
You’ll be amazed at how quickly you pick it up!
So, why not download Ling on your device and start your learning journey today?
