How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 Malay words on “Family and relationships”. The full topic holds 140 in the KoKo app: 56 at the easy level, 49 at the medium level and 35 at the hard level.

Which words should I start with?

With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.

How can I remember this Malay vocabulary?

By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.

Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?

Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.

Malay vocabulary: family

Parents, children, grandparents, friends, partners: family members and relationships in Malay.

Here are 100 Malay words on “Family and relationships”, translated into English and sorted from easiest to hardest.

Level 1: easy 40 words

Malay	English
kelahiran	birth
teman lelaki	boyfriendMale partner, romantic relationship
saudara lelaki	brother
ipar lelaki	brother in law
anak	child
hak jagaan anak	child custody
hidup bersama tanpa nikah	cohabitation
pasangan	couple
abah	dadInformal register, a child’s word for their father
anak perempuan	daughter
kematian	death
keluarga	family
makan bersama keluarga	family meal
ayah	fatherStandard register, the man who is the child’s biological parent or raises the child
bapa mertua	father in law
kawan	friend
generasi	generation
teman wanita	girlfriendFemale partner, romantic relationship
cucu perempuan	granddaughterDaughter of one’s son or daughter
datuk	grandfather
datuk buyut	great grandfather
nenek buyut	great grandmother
saudara tiri lelaki	half brother
suami	husbandEveryday use
mertua	in laws
cinta	love
lelaki	man
ibu	motherStandard register, the woman who gives birth to or raises the child
ibu mertua	mother in law
emak	mumInformal register, a child’s word for their mother
saudara perempuan	sister
ipar perempuan	sister in law
sokongan	support
nama keluarga	surname
berbaik-baik	to get on well
melawat	to visit
kepercayaan	trust
didikan	upbringing
cincin perkahwinan	wedding ring
perempuan	woman

Level 2: medium 35 words

Malay	English
pengambilan anak angkat	adoption
nafkah	alimony
pertengkaran	argument
mak cik	aunt
putus hubungan	break up
pengiring pengantin	bridesmaid
sahabat	buddy
upacara	ceremony
rakan sekelas	classmate
rakan sekerja	colleague
sepupu	cousinSon of one’s uncle or aunt
keturunan	descendant
perceraian	divorce
anak sulung	eldest child
nama depan	first name
persahabatan	friendship
bapa baptis	godfather
pengantin lelaki	groomOn the wedding day
bulan madu	honeymoon
tuan rumah	host
warisan	inheritance
jiran	neighbour
anak saudara lelaki	nephewSon of one’s brother or sister
anak saudara perempuan	nieceDaughter of one’s brother or sister
kehamilan	pregnancy
perpisahan	separation
solidariti	solidarity
remaja	teenager
ketegangan	tension
mengambil anak angkat	to adopt
putus	to break up
berkahwin	to get married
membesarkan	to raise
pak cik	uncle
anak bungsu	youngest child

Level 3: hard 25 words

Malay	English
nenek moyang	ancestor
pengasuh anak	childminder
menantu perempuan	daughter in lawWife of one’s son
pertunangan	engagement
pertalian keluarga	family tie
tunangan	fiancePerson engaged to be married, before the ceremony
anak baptis	godchild
bayi menyusu	infant
keluarga besar	large family
wali	legal guardian
pasangan hidup bersama	live in partner
kuasa jagaan ibu bapa	parental authority
perdamaian	reconciliation
keserupaan	resemblance
persaingan	rivalry
keluarga ibu bapa tunggal	single parent family
menantu lelaki	son in lawHusband of one’s daughter
menyusui	to breastfeed
mendakap	to cuddle
bercerai	to divorce
bersalin	to give birth
berbaikan	to make up
memarahi	to scold
kembar	twin
ketidaksetiaan	unfaithfulness

Mini quiz

5 words from this page, picked at random. Find their translation.

Frequently asked questions

How many words are in this list?: This page gives 100 Malay words on “Family and relationships”. The full topic holds 140 in the KoKo app: 56 at the easy level, 49 at the medium level and 35 at the hard level.
Which words should I start with?: With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.
How can I remember this Malay vocabulary?: By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.
Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?: Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.