Learning a new language is an exciting journey, and getting acquainted with colloquial slang and informal expressions is an integral part of achieving fluency. In Malay, as in many languages, slang and colloquialisms can provide a gateway to more natural conversations and a deeper understanding of the culture. Let’s delve into some of these expressions.

Kantoi
Kantoi means being caught doing something wrong or failing in an endeavor. It’s often used when someone is busted for making a mistake or when one’s misdeed is exposed.
Dia kantoi curi kuih dalam dapur.

Bo Jio
Bo Jio is an expression borrowed from the Hokkien dialect, widely used among Malaysians. It’s an accusation or complaint that someone did not invite the speaker to an event or outing.
Kau pergi makan tanpa aku, bo jio!

Syok
Syok is the Malay slang term for taking great pleasure in something or finding something extremely enjoyable. It’s akin to the English ‘awesome’ or ‘fantastic.’
Tengok konsert band fav aku memang syok gila!

Cun
Cun describes someone or something that is attractive or pleasing to the eye. It can be used to talk about people, objects, or even situations.
Telefon model baru tu nampak cun betul!

Wayang
Wayang, which means ‘theater’ or ‘play’ in formal Malay, is colloquially used to refer to someone who is pretending or putting on an act to deceive others or for show.
Jangan percaya dia, semua tu wayang je.

Lepak
Lepak is a very popular term in Malaysia that means to hang out or relax, usually with no specific plan in mind. It emphasizes a laid-back, chill atmosphere.
Jom lepak kat kedai kopi petang nanti.

Tapau
Tapau is derived from the Chinese word describing the action of taking away food from a restaurant. It’s equivalent to ‘takeaway’ or ‘to-go’ in English.
Buat tapau nasi lemak, aku nak bawa balik makan.

Acah
Acah means to tease or pretend, often in a playful or non-serious manner. Malaysians use it to describe someone who is joking or not being genuine.
Jangan acah-acah lah, aku tahu kau main-main je.

Kaki
Kaki is literally translated as ‘foot’ but in the context of slang, it’s used to refer to someone who is an enthusiast or very involved in a particular activity.
Dia ni memang kaki bola, tiap minggu mesti main.

Gostan
Gostan is a slang term for reversing a vehicle, borrowed from the English nautical term ‘go astern.’ It’s commonly used instructively when assisting a driver to back up.
Gostan sikit lagi, belakang masih ada ruang.

Incorporating these colloquial slang terms and informal expressions into your conversation in Malay will not only demonstrate your linguistic skills but also help you connect with the locals on a deeper level. As with all slang, context and tone are immensely important, so listen closely to how native speakers use these phrases to fully grasp their nuances. Selamat berbahasa slang, and have fun chatting like a true local!