Terengganu Malay

Austronesian language

Terengganu Malay

Base Tranung
Bahasa Melayu Terengganu
بهاس ترڠݢانو
Native to| Malaysia
Region| Terengganu, Mersing and Tanjung Sedili (Johor), Kuantan (Pahang)
Ethnicity| Terengganuan Malay

Native speakers

| 1.1 million (2010)[citation needed]

Language family

Austronesian

* Malayo-Polynesian
* Malayic
* Terengganu Malay

Dialects| Coastal Terengganu
Inland Terengganu

Writing system

| Latin script, Arabic Script (Jawi)
Language codes
ISO 639-3| –

Linguist List

| `zlm-coa` (coastal)
| `zlm-inl` (inland)
Glottolog| `tere1283`
Linguasphere| `33-AFA-ca`

Areas where Coastal Terengganu Malay is the majority language

Areas where Inland Terengganu Malay is the majority language

Areas where Terengganu Malay is a minority language

Terengganu Malay (Malay: Bahasa Melayu Terengganu; Terengganu Malay: Bahse Tranung/Ganu) is a Malayic language spoken in the Malaysian state of Terengganu all the way southward to coastal Pahang and northeast Johor. It is the native language of Terengganu Malays and highly localised Chinese Peranakan (locally known as "Mek and Awang") community as well as a second language among the smaller Indian minority.

The language has developed distinct phonetic, syntactic and lexical distinctions which makes it mutually unintelligible for speakers from outside the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, especially those who speak Standard Malay.[1][2] Terengganu Malay still shares close linguistic ties with neighboring Kelantan and Pahang of which it forms under the umbrella term East Coast Peninsular Malayic languages but maintain its own features distinct from both Pahang and Kelantan-Patani.[3][4]

Terengganu Malay also coexists with two closely related Malayic varieties. In the districts of Besut and northern part of Setiu, the majority of the population speak a variant of Kelantan-Pattani Malay, but in recent years many people from southern Terengganu started to migrate into these two districts and both variants now coexist with each other.[5] In the inland mukim of Pasir Raja, Dungun, several villages still speak a variant of Ulu Tembeling dialect of Pahang Malay, locally known as Pasir Raja dialect.[6]

Terengganu Malay is considered to be the most recognisable identity of the state. This can be seen in many local television dramas, movies, songs, poems and religious sermons[7] which emphasize the usage of Terengganu Malay.[8] Radio stations in Terengganu whether public (Terengganu FM) or privately owned (Hot FM and Molek FM) mainly use Terengganu Malay in its broadcast alongside standard Malaysian. Recent years show an increase of awareness of the uniqueness of Terengganu Malay, such as the increasing use of Terengganu Malay in shop signs and recently the publication of a Hulu Terengganu Malay dictionary.[9]

## Names

[edit]

The people of Terengganu refer[clarification needed] to their language as base/bahse Tranung/Tghanung (/bahsə tɣanuŋ/) which means 'the language of Terengganu' or cakak Tranung (/tʃakaʔ tɣanuŋ/) which means 'Terengganu speech'. In Standard Malay, it is known as bahasa Terengganu or bahasa Melayu Terengganu. Besides Tranung, Tranu, Ganung, Teganung, Teganu and Ganu are also used with the latter (Ganu) being used as an exonym by people outside of Terengganu when referring to Terengganu.

## Distribution

[edit]

Terengganu Malay is natively spoken in most parts of Terengganu other than Besut and the northern part of Setiu. Besides Terengganu, it is also spoken in coastal Pahang, from Cherating near the border with Kemaman district to as far south as Mersing district in the state of Johor.[7] A variety spoken in the village of Tanjung Sedili in the district of Kota Tinggi is said to be a mixture of Terengganuan, Johorean and several other Malay varieties, reflecting the historical demographics of the area, which once received Malay migrants from Terengganu.

## Dialects

[edit]

Terengganu Malay has two major dialects: Coastal (zlm-coa) and Inland (zlm-inl) and each of these two dialects has several regional differences depending on districts or villages. The dialect spoken in Kuala Terengganu district is the de facto standard dialect of Terengganu Malay.[2] The major differences between Coastal (known as Pata) and Inland (known as Ulu) dialects is the pronunciation of the letter "e" of which Coastal Terengganu speakers tend to pronounce it as a schwa while Inland Terengganu speakers pronounce it with strong "e" (as in red).

People in the northernmost regions of Terengganu, specifically in the district of Besut and several parts of Setiu do not speak Terengganu Malay, but instead uses Kelantan-Pattani Malay.[10][11] The dialects spoken in Dungun, Marang and Kemaman as well as outside of Terengganu such as in Pahang (Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin) and Johor (Mersing) does not have significant differences than those in Kuala Terengganu and is classified as part of the Coastal dialect. The residents of Tanjung Sedili which is a small coastal village in Kota Tinggi, Johor spoke a dialect that is a mixture of Johorean and Terengganuan as the residents there are mostly of Terengganu Malay ancestry.

In Pasir Raja which is a mukim located in the interior parts of Dungun, majority of the Malays there spoke a variant of Pahang Malay specifically the Ulu Tembeling dialect instead of Terengganuan. It is because the majority of the people in those areas are descendants of Pahang migrants that migrated into Dungun more than a hundred years ago. Today both varieties (Pahang Malay and Terengganu Malay) coexists in Pasir Raja and the residents can fluently speak both of those varieties.

Based on 2013 research, the division of Terengganu Malay are as follows[12]

* Terengganu Malay
* Coastal Terengganu
* Kuala Nerus-Kuala Terengganu
* Kedai Buluh
* Dungun
* Marang
* Kemaman-Coastal Pahang-Mersing
* Kemaman
* Kuantan
* Kuala Rompin
* Mersing
* Inland Terengganu
* Kuala Berang
* Ulu Telemong
* Jerengau
* Kuala Jengai
* Hulu Dungun
* Hulu Nerus

### Comparison between Coastal and Inland dialects

[edit]

Inland Terengganu  | Coastal Terengganu  | English

|
|

Ughaong/Ughang | Oghang | People
Kubo | Kuba | Buffalo
Balaik | Balék | Leave
Tubaik | Tubék | Out
Dimi | Déme | You
Mume | Mung | You
Bayak | Kabo | Tell
Ayo | Lebong | Lie

## Literature

[edit]

Ustaz Azhar Idrus, a popular religious preacher in Terengganu is often known for his use of Terengganuan during his sermons

Although essentially a spoken language with no standard orthography, Terengganu Malay is widely used in folk songs, poems, and also in mainstream and local media (such as local radio stations, dramas and movies). Ibrahim Taib, a famous Terengganu poet was known for his usage of Inland Terengganu dialect in his poems such as "Mok, Aku Nok Tubaik" ('Mom, I want to get out') and "Jadilah Awang" ('Enough Awang').

### Music

[edit]

Terengganu has a rich history of folk songs sung mostly in Terengganu Malay, among those are Anok Udang, Anok Burung Baniong, Ulek Mayang and Watimang Landok.

Besides traditional folk songs, Terengganu Malay has also made way into modern contemporary songs especially singers or bands who were born and raised in Terengganu. Among the most well known was the song "Blues Tranung/Ganu Kite" by a famous Malaysian band Iklim. It was a hit song not just in Terengganu but also across Malaysia in the 90s and 2000s. "Dondang Dendang", a 1999 song composed by Suhaimi Mohd Zain and recorded by traditional singers Noraniza Idris and Siti Nurhaliza, contains an old Terengganuan Malay poem in the bridge based on the traditional Terengganu dance called Rodat. Another band called Spring also recorded a song sung in Terengganuan, called "Hati Mahu Baik".

## Phonology

[edit]

### Consonants

[edit]

Consonant inventory of Terengganu Malay[13]

| Labial | Dental | Alveolar | Palatal | Velar | Glottal

|
|
|
|
|
|

Stops | p b | t d |  |  | k ɡ | ʔ
Fricatives |  |  | s |  | x ɣ | h
Nasals | m |  | n | ɲ | ŋ |
Affricates |  |  |  | cç ɟʝ |  |
Liquids |  |  | l |  |  |
Glides | w |  |  | j |  |

### Vowel Inventory

[edit]

| Front | Central | Back

|
|
|

High | i ĩ |  | u ũ
Mid-High | e |  | o
Mid-Low | ɛ ɛ̃ | ə | ɔ ɔ̃
Low |  | a ã |

### Pronunciation

[edit]

/a/ followed by a nasal consonant changes to /ŋ/: ayam ايم ('chicken') becomes ayang; makan ماكن ('to eat') becomes makang

/a/ at the end of syllables changes to /ɔʔ/: minta مينتا ('to ask') becomes mitok

/ah/ changes to /ɔh/: rumah رومه ('house') becomes rumoh

/a/ changes to /ə/: saya ساي ('I') becomes saye

/i/ changes to /iŋ/: sini سيني ('here') becomes sining

/ua/ changes to /ɔ/: buaya بوايا ('crocodile') becomes boye

/aj/ becomes /aː/: sungai سوڠاي ('river') becomes sunga

/aw/ becomes /a/: pisau ڤيساو ('knife') changes to pisa

/ia/ before a nasal vowel changes to /ijaŋ/: siam سيام ('Siam') becomes siyang

/ia/ changes to /ɛ/: biasa بياسا ('once') becomes bese

/s/ and /f/ at the end of syllables changes to /h/: malas مالس ('lazy') changes to malah

/m/ and /n/ at the end of syllables changes to /ŋ/: hakim حاكيم ('judge') changes to hakeng

/r/ changes to /ɣ/: orang اورڠ ('person') becomes oghang

Final consonants are often only pronounced as a glottal stop. bukit بوكيت ('hill') becomes buke’ ([bukiʔ])

Words are distinguished by lengthened initial consonant.

Final /l/ is silent. Example: tinggal ('left') becomes tingga; tebal ('thick') becomes teba.

Usually /l/ as in /lah/ is removed and becomes /ah/. Example: Banyaklah ('so many') becomes banyok ah.

Bulang ('moon') vs. bːulang ('many months'); katok ('to strike') vs. kːatok ('frog'); siku ('elbow') vs. sːiku ('hand tool')

## Vocabulary

[edit]

Several comparisons between Standard Malay and Terengganu Malay with English translations:

Pronouns  Terengganu Malay  | Standard Malay  | English Translation

|
|

Mung/Awok/Demə/Dimɛ/Mikɛ/Uning | Awak/Kamu/Kau | 'You' (singular)
Awokmung/Sekmung | Kalian | 'You' (plural)
Ambə/Ambɛ/Aku | Saya/Aku | 'I'
Sek yə/Awok yə/Demə/Dimɛ | Mereka | 'They'
Ye/Nye/Die | Dia | 'He/She'
Kitə/Kitɛ/Kaming | Kami | 'We' (exclusive)
Question Words  Terengganu Malay  | Standard Malay  | English Translation

|
|

Sape/Ppiye | Siapa/Siapakah | 'Who'
Mende/Nde/Nape/Ape/Gape | Apa/Apakah | 'What'
Bile | Bila/Bilakah | 'When'
Wane/Guane | Bagaimana/Bagaimanakah | 'How'
Mane/Ane | Mana | 'Where'
Bakpe | Mengapa | 'How'
Wape/Bape/Bghape | Berapa | 'How Much'
Basic Words  Terengganu Malay  | Standard Malay  | English

|
|

Brehi/Brahi/Wahi | Suka | Like/interest
Suke/Gelekek | Ketawa | Laugh
Ghetek/Etek/Jugok(often shortened to just gok) | Juga | Also
Gok | Kandang | Cage
Hok | Yang | Conjunction, similar to 'which'.
Kabo/Royak | Beritahu | To tell
Tak Mboh/Amboh | Tidak mahu | Do not want
Tido/Jeretoh | Tidur | Sleep
Babey/Gong/Kerah Keng | Degil | Stubborn
Sokmo | Selalu | Always
Pitih/Yya/Ghiya | Duit/Wang | Money
Dok | Tidak | No
Ho/Ye | Ya | Yes
Ghetok | Jambatan | Bridge
Bekeng | Garang | Pugnacious
Ape Kabo/Guane Gamok | Apa Khabar? | How are you?
Tagak/Igak | Tangkap | Catch
Nyenyeh/Nganjing | Ejek | Insulting
Mmusang | Panas Baran | Hot-tempered
Ghalik | Leka | Preoccupied
Dok ghok | Letih | Tired
Supik/Jabir | Kantung Plastik | Plastic bag
Saing | Kawan | Friend
Dang | Sempat | Make it
Nellang/Tebeng | Berani | Brave
Keghek | Kerap | Many times
Bang | Azan | Adhan (Islamic call to prayer)
Doksoh/Soh Beng | Jangan | Do not
Kupik | Kedekut | Stingy
Lok | Biar | Let
Ce/Tra | Cuba | Try
Lening | Sekarang | Today
Tubek | Keluar | Out
Ping/Peng | Ais/Es | Ice (refers to ice cubes in water)
Letok/Skung | Letak | Put
Tohok | Buang | Throw away
Khabak/Kabak | Panjat | Climb
Lepo/Plekong/Petong | Lempar | Throw
Sapa | Sampai | Arrive
Kekgi | Nanti | Later
Doktong, Liwo-liwo | Berjalan-jalan, Bersiar-siar | Stroll, trip, travel
Cendéng | Gagal | Fail
Intensifier  Standard Malay  | Terengganu Malay  | English

|
|

Sangat Putih | Puteh Lepuk/Sepuk | Very white
Sangat Hitam | Itang Beletung/Belegang | Very dark
Sangat Merah | Meroh Nyale/Merang | Very red
Sangat Kuning | Kuning Sio | Very yellow
Sangat Busuk | Busuk Kohong/Bango/Hapok | Very smelly
Sangat Hancing | Hacing Pering | Very stenchy
Sangat Hanyir | Hanyey Mekok | Very fishy
Sangat Wangi | Wangi Mekok | Very fragrant
Sangat Tengik | Tengik Bango | Very rancid
Sangat Masin | Masing Pekok/Rebing | Very salty
Sangat Manis | Manih Letting | Very sweet
Sangat Tawar | Tawo Hebe | Very tasteless
Sangat Pahit | Pahik Lepang | Very bitter
Sangat Masam | Masang Rebang | Very sour
Numerals  Standard Malay  | Terengganu Malay  | English

|
|

Satu | Se | One
Dua | Duwe | Two
Tiga | Tige | Three
Empat | Pak | Four
Lima | Lime | Five
Enam | Nang | Six
Tujuh | Tujoh | Seven
Lapan | Lapang | Eight
Sembilan | Smilang/Mmilang | Nine
Sepuluh | Spuloh/Ppuloh | Ten
Seratus | Sratoh | One hundred
Seribu | Sribu | One thousand
Sejuta | Sjuta | One million
Animals  Standard Malay  | Terengganu Malay  | English

|
|

Ayam | Ayang | Chicken
Buaya | Boye | Crocodile
Obor-Obor | Apa-Apa | Jellyfish
Ikan Tongkol | Ikang Aye | Euthynnus affinis
Ikan Cencaru | Ikang Kerah Ekor | Torpedo scad
Ikan Pelaga | Ikang Sekila/Skila | Fighting fish
Labah-labah | Llabe | Spider
Lintah | Litoh | Slug
Biawak Air | Bewok Riang | Asian water monitor
Kerbau | Kuba/Kubo (in Inland Terengganu) | Buffalo
Kumbang | Kkabo | Beetle
Semut Merah | Semuk Gata | Fire ant
Ular | Ulo | Snake
Harimau | Rima | Tiger
Singa | Singe | Lion
Lipas | Lipah | Cockroach
Gajah | Ghajoh | Elephant
Burung Helang | Burong Siwoh | Eagle
Biawak | Bewok | Monitor lizard
Tupai | Tupa | Squirrel
Katak | Katok (not to be mistaken with a Terengganuan homonym, which means 'to strike')  | Frog
Kelekatu | Katu | Termite alates
Anai-Anai | Ana-Ana | Termite
Sotong | Sutong | Squid
Kura-kura | Kure | Tortoise/Turtle

## Notable Terengganuan phrases

[edit]

Starang baroh means 'really', a popular phrase used to show or express something that is really serious or true.

Example: Ambe dok tau starang baroh, as opposed to Standard Malay or West coast Malay dialects: Saya memang tak tahu langsung.

Another famous Terengganuan Malay phrase is Senyung sokmo which means Senyum selalu in standard Malay and 'Smile always' in English. It is widely used by Terengganu people to wish other people well and to brighten their days.

Dokrok cettong denotes two situations whereby one is totally exhausted or someone who is very weak.[clarification needed]

## Sample text

[edit]

Terengganu Malay:

Budok-budok lening koho dok kena makanang tradisi, sohbeng kate kuey, nasik pong ttuko bimbo lagi, nok wak guane makanang lening modeng blake, oghang mude tak mboh belajo duk ngarak ke oghang tue sokmo.

Standard Malay:

Budak-budak sekarang semakin tak kenal makanan tradisi, jangan kata kuih, nasi pun masih tertukar lagi, nak buat macam mana makanan sekarang semua moden, orang muda tak nak belajar selalu mengharap ke orang-orang tua.

English

'Kids today don't know about traditional foods, it's not just traditional cakes, even the rice as well, what can we do all foods these days are modern, younger generations don't want to learn always rely on old people.'

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Sustaining coastal terengganu malay dialect: An analysis on the linguistic features". ResearchGate. 2013.
2. ^ a b "Malay". Ethnologue.
3. ^ Collins, James T. (1989). "Malay Dialect Research in Malaysia: The Issue of Perspective" (PDF). Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde. 145 (2): 235–264\. doi:10.1163/22134379-90003253. JSTOR 27864031.
4. ^ Prof. Madya Ajid Che Kob. "Subklasifikasi Dialek Melayu Patani-Kelantan-Terengganu:Satu Analisis Kualitatif" (PDF) (in Malay).
5. ^ Mohd Nasir Awang (7 July 2013). "Besut – Bumi Pertautan Dua Budaya". Gemersik Bayu Pantai (in Malay).
6. ^ Hasrah, Mohd Tarmizi (2020). "Dialek Pasir Raja: Ciri Fonologi dan Pengelompokan". Jurnal Bahasa. 20 (2): 173–202\. doi:10.37052/jb20(2)no1. S2CID 234391264 – via ResearchGate.
7. ^ a b Junaini Kasdan (January 2018). "Dialek Terengganu dalam Penyampaian Dakwah: Analisis Sosiokognitif (Terengganu Dialect in Preaching of Da'wah: A Socio-Cognitive Analysis)". doi:10.17576/jatma-2018-0603-03 (inactive 12 July 2025).`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 (link)
8. ^ "Kajian Dialek Trengganu" (in Malay). 14 January 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2016 – via slideshare.net.
9. ^ "Glosari Dialek Hulu Terengganu Dibukukan". TRDI News (in Malay). 17 July 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
10. ^ Rencana (14 July 2013). "Orang Besut: Anak Terengganu, Kelantan Pelihara? – Mohd Izzuddin Ramli". The Malaysian Insider (in Malay). Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
11. ^ "Profil Daerah: JPS Daerah Besut" (PDF). Department of Irrigation and Drainage (in Malay). 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
12. ^ "Subdialek Terengganu" (in Malay).
13. ^ "Malayic varieties of Kelantan and Terengganu: Description and linguistic history" (PDF). Retrieved 14 June 2025.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Jiang Wu (2023). Malayic varieties of Kelantan and Terengganu. Amsterdam: LOT Publications. doi:10.48273/LOT0651. ISBN 978-94-6093-436-0.

## External links

[edit]

* Ensiklopedia Sejarah dan Kebudayaan Melayu, DBP Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia
* Loghat Terengganu | Terengganu Archived 20 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
* Bahasa Malaysia Simple Fun – Terengganu Malay Language

* v
* t
* e

State of Terengganu

Capital: Kuala Terengganu

Topics|

* Index
* History
* Constitution
* Elections
* Government
* Executive
* Sultan
* Menteri Besar
* Legislative
* Geography
* Judiciary
* Law
* Music
* Terengganuans
* Symbols
* Anthem
* Flag and coat of arms
* Tourist attractions

Society|

* Culture
* Crime
* Cuisine
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Politics
* Language

Administrative
divisions|

| Districts|

* Besut District
* Dungun District
* Hulu Terengganu District
* Kemaman District
* Kuala Nerus District
* Kuala Terengganu District
* Marang District
* Setiu District

|

Towns|

* Ajil
* Bandar Al-Muktafi Billah Shah
* Bandar Ketengah Jaya
* Bandar Permaisuri
* Bandar Seri Bandi
* Batu Rakit
* Bukit Besi
* Bukit Payong
* Chukai
* Jabur
* Jerangau
* Jertih
* Kampung Raja
* Kemasik
* Kedai Buluh
* Kerteh
* Kijal
* Kuala Besut
* Kuala Berang
* Kuala Dungun
* Kuala Jeneris
* Kuala Telemung
* Marang
* Merchang
* Paka
* Pasir Raja
* Rantau Abang
* Rasau Kerteh
* Sungai Tong
* Teluk Kalung
* Wakaf Tapai

Townships|

* Alam Serada
* Rantau Petronas

Villages|

* Jenagur
* Kampung Tok Imam Lapar
* Padang Midin
* Rusila
* Seberang Takir
* Sekayu
* Sungai Bari
* Wakaf Mempelam

Islands|

* Bidong
* Duyong
* Kapas
* Lang Tengah
* Perhentian
* Redang
* Tenggol
* Wan Man

* Commons
* Wikisource
* Category

* v
* t
* e

Languages of Malaysia

Main|

| Official|

* Malaysian
* English
* comparison with British English
* Arabic

|

Families|

* Austroasiatic
* Aslian
* Austronesian
* North Bornean
* Kayan–Murik
* Land Dayak
* Malayic
* Philippine
* Sama–Bajaw
* Tai-Kadai
* Tai

Natives &
Indigenous|

| Nationwide|

* Malay

|

Peninsular
Malaysia|

* Batek
* Cheq Wong
* Duanoʼ
* Jah Hut
* Jahai
* Jakun
* Jedek
* Johor–Riau Malay
* Johor Malay
* Malacca Malay
* Selangor Malay
* Judeo-Malay2
* Kedah Malay
* Kelantan-Pattani Malay
* Kenaboi1
* Kensiu
* Kintaq
* Kristang
* Lanoh
* Mah Meri
* Minriq
* Mintil
* Negeri Sembilan Malay
* Mos
* Orang Kanaq
* Orang Seletar
* Pahang Malay
* Perak Malay
* Reman Malay
* Sabüm1
* Semai
* Semaq Beri
* Semelai
* Semnam
* Southern Thai
* Temiar
* Temoq2
* Temuan
* Terengganu Malay
* Wila'1

East
Malaysia|

* Abai
* Bahau
* Bajau
* Belait
* Berawan
* Biatah
* Bintulu
* Bonggi
* Bookan
* Bruneian/Kedayan Malay
* Brunei Bisaya
* Bukar–Sadong
* Bukitan
* Coastal Kadazan
* Daro-Matu
* Dumpas
* Dusun
* Eastern Kadazan
* Ganaʼ
* Iban
* Ida'an
* Jagoi
* Jangkang
* Kajaman
* Kalabakan
* Kanowit
* Kayan
* Kelabit
* Kendayan
* Keningau Murut
* Kinabatangan
* Kiput
* Klias River Kadazan
* Kota Marudu Talantang
* Kuijau
* Lahanan
* Lelak1
* Lengilu1
* Lotud
* Lun Bawang
* Mainstream Kenyah
* Melanau
* Momogun
* Murik Kayan
* Narom
* Nonukan Tidong
* Okolod
* Paluan
* Papar
* Punan Bah-Biau
* Punan Batu2
* Penan
* Remun
* Sa'ban
* Sabah Bisaya
* Sama
* Sarawak Malay
* Sebop
* Sekapan
* Selungai Murut
* Sembakung
* Seru1
* Serudung
* Sian
* Sungai
* Tagol
* Timugon
* Tombonuwo
* Tring
* Tringgus
* Tutoh
* Ukit2
* Umaʼ Lasan

Significant
minority|

| Chinese|

* Sino-Tibetan
* Yue
* Cantonese
* Malaysian Cantonese
* Hakka
* Min
* Eastern Min
* Fuqing
* Fuzhou
* Hainanese
* Pu-Xian Min
* Southern Min
* Hokkien
* Southern Peninsular Malaysian Hokkien
* Penang Hokkien
* Chaoshan Min
* Teochew
* Mandarin Chinese
* Malaysian Mandarin

|

Indian|

* Dravidian
* Malayalam
* Tamil
* Malaysian Tamil
* Telugu
* Indo-European
* Gujarati
* Hindi
* Punjabi
* Urdu

Indonesian
archipelago|

* Acehnese
* Banjar
* Madurese
* Bawean
* Buginese
* Javanese
* Kerinci
* Mandailing
* Minangkabau
* Rawa

Philippine|

* Philippine
* Iranun
* Maranao
* Molbog
* Suluk

Others|

* Cham

Creoles|

* Chavacano
* Kristang
* Manglish
* Malay trade and creole languages
* Baba Malay
* Chetty Malay
* Cocos Malay
* Sabah Malay

Mixed & Others|

* Rojak
* Tanglish
* Esperanto

Immigrants|

* African
* Arabic
* Bengali
* Burmese
* Khmer
* East Timorese
* Filipino
* Indonesian
* comparison with Malaysian
* Persian
* Japanese
* Korean
* Lao
* Nepalese
* Urdu
* Sri Lankan
* Thai
* Vietnamese

Signs|

| Main|

* Malaysian Sign Language
* Manually Coded Malay

|

By states|

* Penang Sign Language
* Selangor Sign Language

* 1 Extinct languages
* 2 Nearly extinct languages

* v
* t
* e

Nuclear Malayo-Polynesian languages

Malayo-Sumbawan|

| Sundanese|

* Sundanese (Bantenese, Baduy)

|

Madurese|

* Kangean
* Madurese

Malayo-Chamic|

| Chamic|

* Acehnese
* Cham dialects
* Chru
* Haroi
* Jarai
* Rade
* Roglai
* Tsat (Utsat)

|

Malayic|

* Bamayo
* Banjar
* Brunei/Kedayan Malay
* Berau Malay
* Bangka Malay
* Bengkulu
* Col
* Duano'
* Haji
* Iban
* Jambi Malay
* Jakun
* Kedah Malay
* Kutai Malay
* Kaur
* Kerinci
* Kelantan-Pattani Malay (Yawi)
* Kendayan
* Keninjal
* Kubu
* Orang Laut
* Lubu
* Malay (Malaysian & Indonesian)
* Minangkabau
* Musi
* Mualang
* Orang Kanaq
* Orang Seletar
* Pahang Malay
* Pekal
* Perak Malay
* Remun
* Sarawak Malay
* Seberuang
* Temuan
* Terengganu Malay
* Urak Lawoi'

Bali–Sasak|

* Balinese
* Sasak
* Sumbawa

Northwest Sumatra–
Barrier Islands|

* Enggano
* Gayo
* Mentawai
* Nias
* Sikule
* Simeulue

| Batak|

* Alas
* Batak Angkola
* Batak Dairi
* Batak Karo
* Batak Simalungun
* Batak Toba
* Mandailing

|

Lampungic|

* Lampung Api
* Lampung Nyo
* Komering

Celebic|

* Andio
* Badaic
* Bahonsuai
* Balaesang
* Balantak
* Banggai
* Batui
* Boano
* Bobongko
* Bonerate
* Bungku
* Busoa
* Cia-Cia
* Dampelas
* Dondo
* Kalao
* Kaili
* Kaimbulawa
* Kamaru
* Kodeoha
* Kulisusu
* Kumbewaha
* Lasalimu
* Laiyolo
* Lauje
* Liabuku
* Mbelala
* Moronene
* Mori Bawah
* Mori Atas
* Moma
* Muna
* Padoe
* Pancana
* Pendau
* Rahambuu
* Rampi
* Saluan
* Sarudu
* Sedoa
* Pamona
* Taje
* Tajio
* Tukang Besi
* Tolaki
* Tomadino
* Topoiyo
* Tomini
* Totoli
* Uma
* Waru
* Wawonii
* Wolio
* Wotu

South Sulawesi|

* Aralle-Tabulahan
* Bambam
* Bentong
* Budong-Budong
* Buginese
* Campalagian
* Coastal Konjo
* Dakka
* Duri
* Embaloh
* Enrekang
* Highland Konjo
* Kalumpang
* Lemolang
* Maiwa (Sulawesi)
* Makassarese
* Malimpung
* Mamasa
* Mamuju
* Mandar
* Panasuan
* Pannei
* Selayar
* Seko Padang
* Seko Tengah
* Tae’
* Talondo’
* Taman
* Toraja-Sa’dan
* Ulumanda’

Moklenic|

* Moken
* Moklen

Javanese|

* Arekan
* Banyumasan
* Mataraman
* Kawi (Old Javanese)
* Kedu
* Osing
* Tenggerese

Central–Eastern Malayo-Polynesian
(over 700 languages)|

| Eastern Malayo-Polynesian groups|

* South Halmahera–West New Guinea
* Oceanic languages

|

Central Malayo-Polynesian linkages|

* Aru
* Central Maluku
* Kei-Tanimbar
* Kowiai
* Selaru
* Sumba–Flores
* Teor–Kur
* Timoric
* West Damar

Unclassified|

* Chamorro
* Hukumina †
* Palauan

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template