Tamil to Malay Translation
Malay is the national language of Malaysia and Singapore, where Tamil is part of everyday life. The phrase notes cover the polite forms Malaysians actually use.
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Phrasebook116 phrases, looked up on your device
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History
Kept on this device onlyTryவணக்கம்Selamat sejahtera(Hello (respectful greeting))
How it translates
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116 Phrases on Your Device
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An Old Contact Language
Malay is Austronesian, a family that stretches from Madagascar to Hawaii, and has no common ancestor with Tamil. The two met through trade across the Bay of Bengal, and Malay still carries Tamil loanwords from that contact: kedai (shop, from கடை), kapal (ship, from கப்பல்), modal (capital, from முதல்) and kolam (pool, from குளம்).
Malay also took many Sanskrit words, some through Tamil, and their meanings drifted. Suami is a husband in Malay but சுவாமி is a god or holy man in Tamil. Bahaya is danger in Malay, while Tamil பயம் from the same root is fear.
Grammar That Works the Other Way
Malay puts the verb in the middle, not at the end. Tamil நான் சோறு சாப்பிடுகிறேன் is Saya makan nasi, "I eat rice", in English order. Malay also has no case endings: the role of a word comes from its position and from small prepositions such as di (at), ke (to) and dari (from), where Tamil adds -இல், -க்கு and -இலிருந்து.
Malay verbs do not change for person, number, gender or tense. Saya makan, dia makan and mereka makan (I, she, they eat) all use makan, and time comes from words like sudah (already) and akan (will). Coming from Tamil, where every verb carries an ending, this feels startlingly simple.
Plurals are often left unmarked or shown by doubling the word: buku is a book or books, and buku-buku stresses many books.
Getting the Tone Right
Malay has two words for "please" that tools often mix up. Sila invites someone to do something for their own benefit (Sila duduk, please sit), while Tolong asks a favour (Tolong ulang, please repeat). Translating Tamil தயவுசெய்து as Sila in a request sounds odd.
Anda is the neutral polite "you" in writing, but in conversation Malaysians often avoid pronouns and use titles instead: Encik for a man, Puan for a married woman, Cik for a young woman, or kinship words such as Abang and Kakak, much as Tamil uses அண்ணா and அக்கா.
Malay is written in the Latin alphabet, called Rumi, so there is no special keyboard to install. The older Jawi script, based on Arabic, is still seen on signs and in religious texts.
Malay and Tamil in Malaysia and Singapore
Article 152 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia makes Malay the national language. In Singapore, Article 153A of the Constitution names four official languages, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English, and keeps Malay as the national language, so Tamil and Malay appear side by side on public signs.
Phrasebook
116 Everyday Phrases in Tamil and Malay
The notes are about the Malay. We curated these lines and checked the language facts in them against the published sources below; no native Malay speaker has reviewed them yet. Report a wrong line.
116 phrases
No phrase matches that. Try one word, such as "water" or "bus".
Greetings
Hello (respectful greeting)
வணக்கம்
vanakkam
Selamat sejahtera
A formal greeting for any time of day. Muslim speakers often say Assalamualaikum.
Good morning
காலை வணக்கம்
kaalai vanakkam
Selamat pagi
Good night
இனிய இரவு
iniya iravu
Selamat malam
Used for both good evening and good night. Selamat tidur means "sleep well".
How are you? (polite)
எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்?
eppadi irukkireerkal?
Apa khabar?
Literally "what news?". The usual reply is Khabar baik, "good news".
I am fine
நான் நலமாக இருக்கிறேன்
naan nalamaaga irukkiren
Saya sihat
Literally "I am healthy".
Thank you
நன்றி
nandri
Terima kasih
Sorry / Excuse me
மன்னிக்கவும்
mannikkavum
Maaf
Maafkan saya is fuller. Before a question, people often say Tumpang tanya, "may I ask".
Please
தயவுசெய்து
thayavuseythu
Sila
Sila invites (Sila duduk, please sit). Tolong asks a favour (Tolong ulang, please repeat).
Welcome (to a guest)
வாருங்கள்
vaarungal
Selamat datang
See you again
மீண்டும் சந்திப்போம்
meendum sandhippom
Jumpa lagi
Nice to meet you
உங்களைச் சந்தித்ததில் மகிழ்ச்சி
ungalai sandhithathil magizhchi
Gembira berjumpa dengan anda
What is your name?
உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன?
ungal peyar enna?
Siapa nama anda?
Literally "who is your name?".
My name is Priya
என் பெயர் பிரியா
en peyar Priya
Nama saya Priya
Where are you from?
உங்களுக்கு எந்த ஊர்?
ungalukku endha oor?
Anda dari mana?
Conversation
Yes
ஆம்
aam
Ya
No
இல்லை
illai
Tidak
Often shortened to tak in speech. Bukan means "it is not (that)".
Okay / All right
சரி
sari
Baiklah
I do not understand
எனக்குப் புரியவில்லை
enakku puriyavillai
Saya tidak faham
I do not know
எனக்குத் தெரியாது
enakku theriyaathu
Saya tidak tahu
Please speak slowly
தயவுசெய்து மெதுவாகப் பேசுங்கள்
thayavuseythu methuvaaga pesungal
Tolong cakap perlahan-lahan
Please say that again
தயவுசெய்து மீண்டும் சொல்லுங்கள்
thayavuseythu meendum sollungal
Tolong ulang sekali lagi
I know a little Tamil
எனக்குக் கொஞ்சம் தமிழ் தெரியும்
enakku konjam thamizh theriyum
Saya tahu sedikit bahasa Tamil
Do you know English?
உங்களுக்கு ஆங்கிலம் தெரியுமா?
ungalukku aangilam theriyuma?
Anda boleh berbahasa Inggeris?
Literally "can you speak English?".
What does this mean?
இதற்கு என்ன அர்த்தம்?
itharku enna artham?
Apa maksud ini?
How do you say this?
இதை எப்படிச் சொல்வது?
ithai eppadi solvathu?
Bagaimana menyebutnya?
No problem / It is all right
பரவாயில்லை
paravaayillai
Tidak mengapa
Tak apa in speech.
Please wait a minute
ஒரு நிமிடம் காத்திருங்கள்
oru nimidam kaathirungal
Tunggu sebentar
Literally "wait a moment".
Can you help me?
எனக்கு உதவ முடியுமா?
enakku uthava mudiyuma?
Boleh tolong saya?
What?
என்ன?
enna?
Apa?
Where?
எங்கே?
enge?
Di mana?
When?
எப்போது?
eppothu?
Bila?
Why?
ஏன்?
en?
Kenapa?
Travel
Where is the toilet?
கழிப்பறை எங்கே இருக்கிறது?
kazhipparai enge irukkirathu?
Di mana tandas?
Where is the bus stand?
பேருந்து நிலையம் எங்கே இருக்கிறது?
perundhu nilaiyam enge irukkirathu?
Di mana stesen bas?
Where is the railway station?
ரயில் நிலையம் எங்கே இருக்கிறது?
rayil nilaiyam enge irukkirathu?
Di mana stesen kereta api?
How do I get to the airport?
விமான நிலையத்துக்கு எப்படிப் போவது?
vimaana nilaiyathukku eppadi povathu?
Bagaimana hendak ke lapangan terbang?
How far is it?
அது எவ்வளவு தூரம்?
athu evvalavu thooram?
Berapa jauh?
Go straight
நேராகப் போங்கள்
neraaga pongal
Jalan terus
Turn left
இடது பக்கம் திரும்புங்கள்
idathu pakkam thirumbungal
Belok kiri
Turn right
வலது பக்கம் திரும்புங்கள்
valathu pakkam thirumbungal
Belok kanan
Please stop here
இங்கே நிறுத்துங்கள்
inge niruthungal
Tolong berhenti di sini
I am lost
நான் வழி தவறிவிட்டேன்
naan vazhi thavarivitten
Saya sesat
I need a room
எனக்கு ஒரு அறை வேண்டும்
enakku oru arai vendum
Saya perlukan sebuah bilik
Shopping
How much is this?
இது என்ன விலை?
ithu enna vilai?
Berapa harga ini?
It is too expensive
விலை மிகவும் அதிகம்
vilai migavum athigam
Mahal sangat
Please lower the price a little
விலையைக் கொஞ்சம் குறைத்துக் கொடுங்கள்
vilaiyai konjam kuraithu kodungal
Tolong kurangkan harga sedikit
I want this
எனக்கு இது வேண்டும்
enakku ithu vendum
Saya mahu ini
I do not want this
எனக்கு இது வேண்டாம்
enakku ithu vendaam
Saya tidak mahu ini
Do you have change?
சில்லறை இருக்கிறதா?
sillarai irukkiratha?
Ada duit kecil?
Literally "is there small money?".
I am just looking
சும்மா பார்க்கிறேன்
summa paarkkiren
Saya tengok-tengok sahaja
When does the shop open?
கடை எப்போது திறக்கும்?
kadai eppothu thirakkum?
Bila kedai dibuka?
Kedai (shop) is a loan from Tamil கடை.
Food
Water
தண்ணீர்
thanneer
Air
I am hungry
எனக்குப் பசிக்கிறது
enakku pasikkirathu
Saya lapar
I am thirsty
எனக்குத் தாகமாக இருக்கிறது
enakku thaagamaaga irukkirathu
Saya dahaga
Rice (cooked)
சாதம்
saatham
Nasi
Raw rice is beras.
Milk
பால்
paal
Susu
Tea
தேநீர்
theneer
Teh
Coffee
காபி
kaapi
Kopi
I am vegetarian
நான் சைவம்
naan saivam
Saya tidak makan daging
Literally "I do not eat meat". Saya vegetarian is also understood.
Less spicy, please
காரம் குறைவாகப் போடுங்கள்
kaaram kuraivaaga podungal
Kurangkan pedas
It is very tasty
மிகவும் சுவையாக இருக்கிறது
migavum suvaiyaaga irukkirathu
Sedap sangat
The bill, please
பில் கொடுங்கள்
bil kodungal
Minta bil
In a restaurant you will also hear Kira, "count it up".
Have you eaten?
சாப்பிட்டீர்களா?
saappitteerkala?
Sudah makan?
A friendly everyday greeting in Malaysia too, just as in Tamil.
That is enough, thank you
போதும், நன்றி
pothum, nandri
Cukup, terima kasih
Salt
உப்பு
uppu
Garam
Health
I need a doctor
எனக்கு ஒரு மருத்துவர் வேண்டும்
enakku oru maruthuvar vendum
Saya perlukan doktor
Where is the hospital?
மருத்துவமனை எங்கே இருக்கிறது?
maruthuvamanai enge irukkirathu?
Di mana hospital?
Where is the pharmacy?
மருந்துக் கடை எங்கே இருக்கிறது?
marundhu kadai enge irukkirathu?
Di mana farmasi?
I have a fever
எனக்குக் காய்ச்சல் இருக்கிறது
enakku kaaychal irukkirathu
Saya demam
I have a headache
எனக்குத் தலை வலிக்கிறது
enakku thalai valikkirathu
Saya sakit kepala
My stomach hurts
எனக்கு வயிறு வலிக்கிறது
enakku vayiru valikkirathu
Perut saya sakit
I am not well
எனக்கு உடம்பு சரியில்லை
enakku udambu sariyillai
Saya tidak sihat
Emergency
Help! (save me)
காப்பாற்றுங்கள்!
kaappaatrungal!
Tolong!
Call the police
காவல்துறையை அழையுங்கள்
kaavalthuraiyai azhaiyungal
Panggil polis
Call an ambulance
ஆம்புலன்ஸை அழையுங்கள்
aambulansai azhaiyungal
Panggil ambulans
Fire!
தீ!
thee!
Kebakaran!
The word for a fire breaking out. Api is fire itself.
Thief!
திருடன்!
thirudan!
Pencuri!
I have lost my phone
என் கைப்பேசி தொலைந்துவிட்டது
en kaippesi tholaindhuvittathu
Telefon saya hilang
Be careful
கவனமாக இருங்கள்
kavanamaaga irungal
Hati-hati
Danger
ஆபத்து
aapathu
Bahaya
Work
What work do you do?
நீங்கள் என்ன வேலை செய்கிறீர்கள்?
neengal enna velai seykireerkal?
Apa pekerjaan anda?
I work in an office
நான் அலுவலகத்தில் வேலை செய்கிறேன்
naan aluvalagathil velai seykiren
Saya bekerja di pejabat
I am a teacher
நான் ஆசிரியர்
naan aasiriyar
Saya seorang guru
Cikgu is the everyday word for a teacher.
The meeting is at ten
கூட்டம் பத்து மணிக்கு
koottam pathu manikku
Mesyuarat pada pukul sepuluh
I am busy now
நான் இப்போது வேலையாக இருக்கிறேன்
naan ippothu velaiyaaga irukkiren
Saya sibuk sekarang
I will call you later
நான் உங்களைப் பிறகு அழைக்கிறேன்
naan ungalai piragu azhaikkiren
Saya akan telefon anda nanti
I need leave tomorrow
எனக்கு நாளை விடுப்பு வேண்டும்
enakku naalai viduppu vendum
Saya perlu cuti esok
The work is finished
வேலை முடிந்துவிட்டது
velai mudindhuvittathu
Kerja sudah siap
Family
Mother
அம்மா
amma
Ibu
Emak or Mak in everyday speech.
Father
அப்பா
appa
Bapa
Ayah in everyday speech.
Elder brother
அண்ணன்
annan
Abang
Also a friendly way to address an older man, like Tamil அண்ணா.
Younger brother
தம்பி
thambi
Adik lelaki
Adik is any younger sibling; lelaki means male.
Elder sister
அக்கா
akka
Kakak
Also used to address an older woman, like Tamil அக்கா.
Younger sister
தங்கை
thangai
Adik perempuan
Son
மகன்
magan
Anak lelaki
Daughter
மகள்
magal
Anak perempuan
Husband
கணவர்
kanavar
Suami
From Sanskrit svaami, the same root as Tamil சுவாமி (lord, god).
Wife
மனைவி
manaivi
Isteri
Grandmother
பாட்டி
paatti
Nenek
Used for both grandmothers, like Tamil பாட்டி.
Friend
நண்பர்
nanbar
Kawan
Time and Numbers
One
ஒன்று
ondru
Satu
Two
இரண்டு
irandu
Dua
Three
மூன்று
moondru
Tiga
Four
நான்கு
naangu
Empat
Five
ஐந்து
aindhu
Lima
Six
ஆறு
aaru
Enam
Seven
ஏழு
ezhu
Tujuh
Eight
எட்டு
ettu
Lapan
Nine
ஒன்பது
onbathu
Sembilan
Ten
பத்து
pathu
Sepuluh
One hundred
நூறு
nooru
Seratus
Today
இன்று
indru
Hari ini
Tomorrow
நாளை
naalai
Esok
Yesterday
நேற்று
netru
Semalam
Now
இப்போது
ippothu
Sekarang
What time is it?
மணி என்ன?
mani enna?
Pukul berapa sekarang?
Shared words
Words Tamil and Malay Share, and Where They Part
| Tamil | Malay | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| கடை kadai | kedai | shop | Malay borrowed it from Tamil. |
| கப்பல் kappal | kapal | ship | Malay borrowed it from Tamil. |
| முதல் muthal | modal | capital (money) | Malay modal comes from Tamil முதல், "first; principal sum". |
| குளம் kulam | kolam | pond, pool | Malay borrowed it from Tamil. Kolam renang is a swimming pool. |
| மாளிகை maaligai | mahligai | palace, mansion | Malay borrowed it from Tamil. |
| சுருட்டு suruttu | cerutu | cigar | Malay borrowed it from Tamil; English cheroot comes from the same Tamil word. |
| பெட்டி petti | peti | box, chest | Malay borrowed it from Tamil. |
| கறி kari | kari | curry | Malay borrowed it from Tamil. |
| மாணிக்கம் maanikkam | manikam | ruby, gem | Sanskrit maanikya, which reached Malay through Tamil. |
| பாஷை paashai | bahasa | language | Sanskrit bhaashaa in both. Formal Tamil prefers மொழி. |
| கபாலம் kapaalam | kepala | skull / head | Sanskrit kapaala. In Malay it is the everyday word for head; in Tamil it means the skull. |
| உபவாசம் upavaasam | puasa | fasting | Both from Sanskrit upavaasa. Puasa is the Ramadan fast in Malaysia. |
| பயம் payam | bahaya | fear / danger | Partial false friend from Sanskrit bhaya: Tamil பயம் is fear, Malay bahaya is danger. |
| சுவாமி suvaami | suami | lord / husband | False friend from Sanskrit svaami: Tamil சுவாமி is a god or holy man, Malay suami is simply a husband. |
| தோஷம் thosham | dosa | fault / sin | Sanskrit dosha in both. Do not confuse Malay dosa (sin) with Tamil தோசை, the pancake: they are unrelated words. |
Questions People Ask
How do you say vanakkam in Malay?
Selamat sejahtera is the formal all-day greeting. Selamat pagi means good morning, and Muslim Malaysians often greet with Assalamualaikum. Choose the greeting that matches the situation and read the phrasebook note first. The Malay script is already Latin, so you can copy its words directly without a separate Roman guide or a Tamil-font conversion.
How do I say thank you in Malay?
Terima kasih. The usual reply is Sama-sama, "you are welcome". Copy the phrasebook’s complete Malay expression rather than translating its words individually. If you add a personal name or explain what you are thanking someone for, check the full new sentence as a separate translation.
Can I translate a Malay reply back into Tamil here?
Use the translation hub and set Malay as the source, then choose Tamil as the target. This page is arranged for Tamil to Malay. Keep the complete Malay reply together when checking it, because a familiar-looking word by itself may not tell you what the whole sentence means.
Does Malay have verb endings like Tamil?
No. A Malay verb stays the same for every subject and tense. Saya pergi means "I go" or "I went", and words such as sudah (already) or akan (will) add the time. When checking a translated message, include a clear time expression in the Tamil source if the date matters. Then confirm that the Malay result still tells your colleague when the action happened or should happen.
Is Tamil an official language in Malaysia?
Malay is the national language under Article 152 of the Federal Constitution. Tamil is not an official language there, but it is in Singapore, where Article 153A lists Malay, Mandarin, Tamil and English. For this tool, select Malay or Tamil according to the reader’s language rather than their country alone. There is no country setting that automatically chooses the right language for a particular family or workplace message.
Does Malay dosa mean the same as Tamil தோசை?
No. Malay dosa means sin, from Sanskrit dosha. It matches Tamil தோஷம் (fault), not தோசை , the pancake. Check the full sentence if your Tamil message concerns food. A familiar sound alone is not a safe translation guide, so use the food entries or translate the complete request instead of guessing from this word.
Does this translate Tamil to Malay or Tamil to Malayalam?
This page translates Tamil to Malay, using Malay words in Latin letters. Malayalam is a different target with its own script and Tamil to Malayalam page. Check the selected language before translating, especially if you reached this page by searching for a shortened language name.
Will the Malay translator convert Tanglish automatically?
Convert Roman Tamil into Tamil script first when the input offers Convert to Tamil script. Check that the Tamil words match what you meant, then translate them into Malay. Malay output also uses Latin letters, so the appearance of English letters alone does not mean the original Tanglish was translated successfully.
Can I choose Malaysian Malay or Singapore Malay here?
There is one Malay target in this tool, with no regional selector. Use the phrasebook to compare everyday requests, then confirm local wording with your intended reader when a message depends on a workplace or family custom. Check personal names and addresses separately instead of expecting a region setting to correct them.
How can I translate a Tamil message for a Malay-speaking colleague?
Enter one complete Tamil sentence at a time and use the server for wording outside the Malay phrasebook. This server route translates directly with M2M100. Check dates, amounts and who must do the action before copying. If a listed work phrase already fits exactly, read its note and use that complete expression.
Sources
The language facts on this page come from these sources, last checked on . The phrases are curated by us. If a line is wrong, tell us.
- Tourism Kedah: essential Malay phrases kedahtourism.gov.my
- Google Translate Help: translating written words support.google.com
- Federal Constitution of Malaysia, Article 152 (National language) lom.agc.gov.my
- Constitution of Singapore, Article 153A (Official languages) sso.agc.gov.sg
- Glottolog: Standard Malay glottolog.org
- Glottolog: Tamil glottolog.org
- Chrome: Translator API (supported languages and platforms) developer.chrome.com
- Cloudflare Workers AI: IndicTrans2 English to Indic model developers.cloudflare.com
- Cloudflare Workers AI: M2M100 many-to-many model developers.cloudflare.com