formal Malay vs informal Malay
Let’s use common words (verb/adverb)
| english | Malay (formal) | Malay (informal) |
| want | hendak | nak |
| don’t want | tidak mahu | tak nak |
| already | sudah | dah |
Example 1
Formal: Saya hendak makan nasi goreng.
Informal: Saya nak makan nasi goreng.
i want to eat fried rice
Example 2
Formal: Nenek tidak mahu jumpa doktor.
Informal: Nenek tak nak jumpa doktor.
grandma/nenek don’t want to see a doctor
Example 3
Formal: Cikgu Rokiah sudah sampai.
Informal: Cikgu Rokiah dah sampai.
teacher Rokiah/cikgu Rokiah is here
teacher Rokiah/cikgu Rokiah has arrived