Malaysia has a rich culture influenced by many different demographics, producing quotes that resonate and stick with you.
One such quote, Sediakan payung sebelum hujan (Prepare the umbrella before it rains), reminds us to be ready for future challenges.
And by reading this blog, you’re doing just that—learning these meaningful Malay quotes now might come in handy when you least expect it!
Today, we’re exploring the most impactful and memorable Malay quotes we could find.
While some may not translate perfectly into English, we’ll provide context so you can understand how they relate to Malaysian culture.
So, let’s get started—you might just pick up a nugget of wisdom to help you navigate life’s twists and turns!
Table Of Contents
Malay Quotes For Love And Family
1. Sekiranya anda terlalu malu untuk bertanya, anda mungkin kehilangan jalan.
“If you are too shy to ask, you might lose your way.”
This quote means that people who are too afraid to rely on others may find themselves in unfavorable situations.
Malaysians are known for having vast extended families and place a lot of faith in asking for advice from their elders.
This quote wants to measure how you should be bold and ask for help from people who have experience!
2. Untuk benar-benar mencintai isteri anda, tinggalkan dia sendirian sekali-sekala.
“To truly love your wife, leave her alone every once in a while.”
This quote would transcend its meaning, even if translated into English.
Nevertheless, it’s good advice for husbands worldwide and should likely be law one day.
3. Potong air tidak pecah.
“Chopped water does not break.”
This is one of the most memorable Malay proverbs ever discussed, probably because it may need a bit of explanation in English.
But, it means that family does not break apart, even if it is torn apart – just like water!
4. Walaupun sebatang pokok tumbuh begitu tinggi, daun yang tumbang kembali ke akarnya.
“Though a tree grows ever so high, the falling leaves return to its roots.”
As we said before, Malaysians heavily emphasize the importance of family.
This metaphor reminds us that no matter how far we grow or succeed, we always return to our roots—our family, culture, or where we started.
It’s a beautiful reminder to stay grounded and remember where we come from, no matter how high we rise.
Malay Quotes About Being Prepared
1. Sediakan payung sebelum hujan.
“Prepare the umbrella before it rains.”
This one does not require much explanation, as the content makes sense.
If we expect something to happen, we must be prepared for it, lest we get caught in the rain without an umbrella.
2. Matahari selama setahun dihapuskan oleh hujan selama sehari.
“A year of sunny days is wiped by a day of rain.”
This Malay metaphor expresses the need always to be prepared.
Even if the future looks bright, a day of misfortune can bring it all down.
Therefore, we must learn how to prepare for such incidents so we don’t fall victim to misfortune.
3. Di mana terdapat gula, pasti ada semut.
“Where there is sugar, there will be ants.”
While the quote sounds better in its native language, both English and Malay share the same meaning: if you have good things, people will be bound to covet them.
This quote shows that the human condition is prone to envy.
4. Mereka yang belajar mencuri, mesti belajar untuk menggantung.
“Those who learn to steal must learn to hang.”
This one is rather dark.
Those who learn to do wrong must learn how to deal with the consequences.
Even in English, this quote is every bit as jarring! It warns people who want to commit crimes to drop everything and turn over a new leaf.
5. Jika anda menanam rumput, anda tidak akan medapat beras.
“If you plant grass, you won’t get rice.”
This quote shares the message of preparing for the right thing.
It’s true that if you plant grass, you don’t expect to get rice.
It can be compared to the old English saying of “reaping what you sow,” but in the Malay language!
Malay Quotes About Life
1. Menderita sekarang, kesoronokan kemudian.
“Suffer now, pleasure later.”
We often get pains during the first few days we train our bodies.
While the pain is demotivating, the truth is that it is just repairing itself so you can be more robust in the future.
That is what it means to suffer in the beginning for pleasure later.
2. Jangan ukur kot lelaki lain pada badan anda.
“Do not measure another man’s coat on your body.”
Again, this quote points to man’s tendency to envy.
It teaches us that comparing ourselves to others is not always wise, especially if we do not know how they have lived their lives.
3. Untuk membenkokkan buluh, mulakan apabila ia adalah pucuk.
“To bend bamboo, start while it is a shoot.”
This quote emphasizes the importance of starting something as early as possible.
This applies to raising children, starting a new job, or building a new business.
It is always best to start early—lest you waste your efforts!
All The Malay Quotes In One Table!
We have summarized all the Malay quotes we’ve introduced so far in the table below.
Notice how they reflect everyday experiences and lessons, making them relatable and memorable while emphasizing the importance of family, community, and respect.
These words of wisdom frequently incorporate shapes and objects in Malay, animals in Malay, and common experiences, which makes their messages relatable and easy to understand.
| English | Malay |
|---|---|
| If you are too shy to ask, you might lose your way. | Sekiranya anda terlalu malu untuk bertanya, anda mungkin kehilangan jalan. |
| To truly love your wife, leave her alone every once in a while. | Untuk benar-benar mencintai isteri anda, tinggalkan dia sendirian sekali-sekala. |
| Chopped water does not break. | Potong air tidak pecah. |
| Though a tree grows ever so high, the falling leaves return to its roots. | Walaupun sebatang pokok tumbuh begitu tinggi, daun yang tumbang kembali ke akarnya |
| Prepare the umbrella before it rains. | Sediakan payung sebelum hujan. |
| A year of sunny days is wiped by a day of rain. | Matahari selama setahun dihapuskan oleh hujan selama sehari. |
| Where there is sugar, there will be ants. | Di mana terdapat gula, pasti ada semut. |
| Those who learn to steal must learn to hang. | Mereka yang belajar mencuri, mesti belajar untuk menggantung. |
| Suffer now, pleasure later. | Menderita sekarang, kesoronokan kemudian. |
| Do not measure another man’s coat on your body. | Jangan ukur kot lelaki lain pada badan anda. |
| To bend bamboo, start while it is a shoot. | Untuk membenkokkan buluh, mulakan apabila ia adalah pucuk. |
How Do You Say Quotes In Malay?
In Malay, “quotes” are often called petikan.
However, if you’re talking about meaningful or wise sayings, you might hear kata-kata hikmah.
So, while petikan is a general term for quotes, kata-kata hikmah refers to those deeper, more thoughtful expressions that carry life lessons or wisdom.
Frequently Asked Questions About Malay Quotes
What Are Some Famous Quotes In Malay?
Malay has many memorable quotes, like sediakan payung sebelum hujan (Prepare the umbrella before it rains) and di mana ada gula, di situ ada semut (Where there’s sugar, there are ants), each reflecting Malay wisdom and Malay cultural values.
What Are 5 Funny Quotes In Malay?
- Lembu punya susu, sapi dapat nama.
“The cow gives the milk, but the buffalo gets the credit.” – It highlights how, sometimes, others get credit for someone else’s hard work. - Jangan jadi katak di bawah tempurung.
“Don’t be like a frog under a coconut shell.” – A humorous way of saying don’t be narrow-minded or ignorant. - Harapkan pegar, pegar makan paid.
“Trusting the guard, but the guard eats the rice.” – It’s about misplaced trust, in a funny way! - Seperti kera mendapat bunga.
“Like a monkey receiving flowers.” – Used when someone gets something they don’t know how to appreciate. - Masuk kandang kambing mengembek, masuk kandang kerbau menguak.
“When entering a goat pen, bleat; when entering a buffalo pen, moo.” – a funny reminder to adapt to your surroundings or situation.
What Is Quotation in Malay?
In Malay, “quotation” can be translated as petikan.
It refers to a direct excerpt or saying from a book, a famous person, or even a casual conversation.
Wanna Learn More? Try the Ling app!
If you enjoyed this quick glimpse into the philosophies Malaysians believe in, then this blog post on Malay proverbs and Malay idioms might be for you.
You might also want to start learning the language to immerse yourself in Malaysian culture further.
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