Language is not only a medium of communication but also a rich repository of culture and wisdom. When learning Malay, one of the ways to deepen your understanding of the language and the culture it represents is to familiarize yourself with common idioms and proverbs. These phrases often carry meanings that extend beyond their literal translations, offering insights into values, beliefs, and perspectives. Here are some common Malay idioms and proverbs, along with their definitions and examples of use.

Bagai aur dengan tebing
This idiom translates to “like the thorny bamboo with the river bank,” meaning a mutually beneficial relationship between two parties. It’s often used to describe a symbiotic relationship where both individuals support and need each other.

Kerjasama antara syarikat itu dengan universiti bagai aur dengan tebing.

Bagaikan kacang lupakan kulit
Directly translated, this means “like a bean that forgets its shell,” and is akin to the English expression “forgetting one’s roots.” It describes someone who has forgotten their origins or background after finding success or moving to a new place.

Dah jadi kaya raya, dia langsung tak ingat kepada kampung halamannya. Bagaikan kacang lupakan kulit.

Cakar ayam
This phrase literally means “chicken scratch” and is used to describe poor handwriting, similar to the English “chicken scratch.”

Cikgu tidak dapat membaca karangan pelajar itu kerana tulisannya cakar ayam.

Hidup segan, mati tak mau
This proverb translates to “ashamed to live, but does not want to die,” which describes a person who lives in a pitiful state but refuses to change their circumstances.

Dia terus hidup dalam kemiskinan dan kesedihan – hidup segan, mati tak mau.

Bagai menarik rambut dalam tepung
The literal translation of this phrase is “like pulling hair out of flour,” meaning to handle a situation or issue delicately without causing a bigger problem.

Sewaktu menyelesaikan konflik, dia harus bersikap lembut dan berhati-hati bagi menarik rambut dalam tepung.

Buang tebiat
This idiom means “losing one’s senses.” It’s used to describe someone who is acting irrationally or strangely, similar to the English phrase “out of one’s mind.”

Sejak kebelakangan ini, tingkah lakunya tu buang tebiat, membuatkan kami semua risau.

Seperti kacang di atas dulang
The phrase is translated as “like beans on a tray,” suggesting a very noisy situation. It’s comparable to the English idiom “like peas in a pod,” but with the added connotation of a lot of chatter.

Anak-anak kecil itu bermain dengan riang ria, mereka bagaikan kacang di atas dulang.

Bagai pinang dibelah dua
This idiom means “like a betel nut split in half,” and is used to describe two things (or people) that are extremely similar, often in appearance. It’s akin to the English “spitting image.”

Twin tersebut memang serupa bagai pinang dibelah dua.

Masuk bakul angkat sendiri
“Mining to carry one’s own basket,” this idiom is used in the context of self-praise, akin to the English “to toot one’s own horn.”

Semasa mesyuarat, dia selalu masuk bakul angkat sendiri tentang kejayaannya.

Kera di hutan disusukan, anak di rumah mati kelaparan
This proverb translates to “a monkey in the forest is fed while one’s own child at home dies of hunger,” used to describe situations where a person neglects their own family or responsibilities and instead takes care of others’ needs.

Dia selalu membantu orang lain tetapi lupa akan keluarganya sendiri, kera di hutan disusukan, anak di rumah mati kelaparan.

Understanding these idioms and proverbs is not only about mastering the language but also getting deeper into the worldviews and cultural nuances that the Malay language embodies. As you continue learning, pay close attention to these expressions, as they will provide you with a richer, more nuanced grasp of the Malay linguistic landscape.