In this lesson, you will learn common Malay greetings and farewells for different times of day. You will also practice using them in short conversations.
Objectives
- Greet someone in Malay at different times of day.
- Ask how someone is and respond appropriately.
- Say goodbye correctly depending on whether you are leaving or staying.
Phrases
Good morning
Used from early morning until around noon. Polite and suitable for most situations.Good afternoon / Good evening
Used from around noon until dusk. Polite and suitable for most situations.How are you? / How are things?
A friendly greeting, not a literal question about health. A common reply is "Khabar baik".Goodbye (said by the person leaving)
Said by the person who is leaving.Goodbye (said by the person staying)
Said by the person who is staying, wishing the departing person a safe journey.Explanations
Morning and afternoon greetings
Use "Selamat pagi" for good morning, from early morning until around noon. Use "Selamat petang" for good afternoon or good evening, from around noon until dusk. Both are polite and suitable for most situations, including with strangers, elders, and in formal settings.
Asking how someone is
"Apa khabar?" means 'How are you?' or 'How are things?' It is a friendly greeting, not a literal question about health. A common reply is "Khabar baik", meaning 'I'm fine' or 'Good news.' You can also ask "Apa khabar?" after "Selamat pagi" or "Selamat petang", as in the dialogue.
Saying goodbye when leaving or staying
"Selamat tinggal" means 'goodbye' and is said by the person who is leaving. "Selamat jalan" means 'goodbye' and is said by the person who is staying, wishing the departing person a safe journey. In the dialogue, A says "Selamat tinggal" because A is leaving, and B replies "Selamat jalan" because B is staying.
Dialogue
Good morning, how are you?
I'm fine. Good morning.
I need to go now. Goodbye.
All right, goodbye (said to the person leaving).
Pronunciation
Listen carefully to the recording and repeat each phrase aloud, copying the speaker's rhythm and intonation. Pay attention to the clear vowels and the light 'r' sound in "khabar". Practice saying the phrases at a natural speed, and then try using them in the dialogue with a partner.
Common mistake
Using "Selamat jalan" when you are the one leaving.
If you are leaving, say "Selamat tinggal". Use "Selamat jalan" only when you are staying and the other person is leaving.
Practice
You meet your friend at 9 a.m. Greet them with the appropriate morning greeting. Say it aloud.
Use the greeting for the morning.
Show answer
Selamat pagiThe correct morning greeting is "Selamat pagi".
It is 3 p.m. and you see your neighbour. Greet them with the appropriate afternoon greeting. Say it aloud.
Use the greeting for the afternoon.
Show answer
Selamat petangThe correct afternoon greeting is "Selamat petang".
You are about to leave a friend's house. Say goodbye to the friend who is staying. Say it aloud.
You are the one leaving.
Show answer
Selamat tinggalWhen you are leaving, you say "Selamat tinggal".
Use "Selamat pagi" in the morning and "Selamat petang" in the afternoon or evening. Ask "Apa khabar?" and reply "Khabar baik". Say "Selamat tinggal" when you leave and "Selamat jalan" to someone who is leaving.
Practice with Yapr
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning; use this lesson with a Yapr AI tutor.
Start practicing