This is the smartphone version. The earlier and fuller version, which discusses the Indonesian language as well, can be found here.
A Warning: This course was written quite some time back and as Malay, like all languages, keeps on developing, it is possible that what is written somewhere in this course will no longer be true in years to come. Having said that, a cat will still be kucing in Malay for centuries to come. - pgoh13 (Webmaster)
Lesson 64 Signboard language
In this lesson I will familiarize you with some of the Malay terms used on signboards everywhere in Malaysia.
(Photo on left) A signboard in the Kelana Jaya LRT station
Keluar = Exit
Masuk = Entrance
Awas = Warning/Attention
Tolak = Push
Tarik = Pull
Bahaya = Danger
Tandas = Toilet
Berhati-hati dengan penyeluk saku = Beware of pickpockets.
Sila beratur = Please queue up.
Jangan jadi diri anda mangsa ragut = Don't let yourself fall victim to snatch thieves.
Sign in a railway station:
Pusat simpan bagasi = Left luggage centre
Sign on entering bus:
Sila sedia tambang tepat. Baki tidak akan dipulangkan. = Please prepare the exact fare. No change will be given.
Sign in an LRT counter:
Kad perjalanan bulanan = Monthly travel card
Sign on highway (remember it's "left hand drive" in Malaysia):
Ikut kiri kecuali memotong = Keep to the left unless overtaking.
Signboard in the Kelana Jaya LRT station (photo on right):
Dilarang merokok = Smoking prohibited.
Dilarang makan atau minum = Eating or drinking prohibited.
Dilarang membuangkan sampah = Littering prohibited.
Dilarang melekatkan gula-gula getah = Sticking of chewing gum prohibited.
Dilarang menampal pelekat = Pasting of posters and bills prohibited.
Dilarang barangan merbahaya = Hazardous material prohibited.
Dilarang membawa binatang = Animals prohibited.
Dilarang basikal = Bicycle prohibited.
Dilarang membawa kargo = Commercial cargo prohibited.
Dilarang bermain muzik = Playing music prohibited.
Dilarang meminta sedekah = Begging prohibited.
Dilarang lepak = Loitering prohibited.
Dilarang masuk = No entry.
Previous lesson Table of Contents Appendix
Where do you go from here? Well, if you have mastered the 64 lessons, you can now be considered as an advanced student of Malay and should be able to read Malay newspapers with the help of a good Malay-English dictionary (of course the word "advanced" is subjective but I would accord you that!). This page is meant to help you towards that end. Good luck and Selamat belajar! - pgoh