The Malay language, also known as Bahasa Melayu, has a number system that is relatively straightforward and easy to learn. Understanding numeric terms and counting in Malay is essential for shopping, telling time, negotiating prices, and much more. Here is a guide to help you master the basics.

Satu
‘Satu’ means one and is the starting point for counting in Malay.
Adik saya mempunyai satu ekor kucing.

Dua
‘Dua’ signifies the number two.
Saya membeli dua tiket wayang.

Tiga
This is the Malay term for the number three.
Dia telah bekerja di sini selama tiga tahun.

Empat
‘Empat’ is the word for four.
Meja itu mempunyai empat kaki.

Lima
‘Lima’ corresponds to the number five.
Kami akan bertolak dalam lima minit lagi.

Enam
The term for six in Malay is ‘enam’.
Dia membeli enam potong pizza.

Tujuh
‘Tujuh’ means seven.
Saya bangun pukul tujuh setiap pagi.

Lapan
This is the Malay word for eight.
Cikgu menyuruh kami membaca lapan muka surat.

Sembilan
‘Sembilan’ translates to nine.
Bulan depan anak saya akan berumur sembilan tahun.

Sepuluh
The term for the number ten in Malay is ‘sepuluh’.
Adik beradik saya seramai sepuluh orang.

In Malay, numbers beyond ten are formed by combining the base numbers. For instance:

Sebelas
This means eleven and is a combination of ‘sepuluh’ (ten) and ‘satu’ (one).
Pemain itu telah menjaringkan sebelas gol musim ini.

Dua belas
The term for twelve is ‘dua belas’, which combines ‘dua’ (two) with ‘belas’ (a form pertaining to numbers 11-19).
Terima kasih kerana mengundang saya ke ulang tahun yang ke-dua belas.

For multiples of ten, Malay uses the following structure:

Dua puluh
This signifies twenty and is a combination of ‘dua’ (two) and ‘puluh’ (tenfold).
Sudah dua puluh tahun sejak saya meninggalkan sekolah menengah.

Tiga puluh
‘Tiga puluh’ translates to thirty.
Saya perlu mengisi minyak kereta setiap tiga puluh kilometer.

To count higher numbers, the pattern continues with the base ten multipliers, and the system remains consistent as you progress into the hundreds (‘ratus’), thousands (‘ribu’), and beyond.

Seratus
This means one hundred.
Saya menjual kereta itu dengan harga seratus ribu ringgit.

Seribu
‘Seribu’ corresponds to one thousand.
Ada lebih daripada seribu orang di perhimpunan itu.

As with any language, practice is key to mastering counting in Malay. Try practicing these numbers in context, like when making purchases or scheduling appointments, to help them stick. Before long, you’ll be counting in Malay with ease.