Navigating a new place is a fundamental skill. This chapter will teach you the essential words and phrases to ask for and understand directions, ensuring you never get lost!
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
| Malay | Phonetic Guide | English |
|---|---|---|
| kanan | (kah-nahn) | right |
| kiri | (kee-ree) | left |
| lurus | (loo-roos) | straight (for a path/road) |
| terus | (tuh-roos) | straight / continue |
| belok | (bay-lohk) | to turn |
| simpang | (seem-pahng) | junction, intersection |
| lampu isyarat | (lahm-poo ee-shah-raht) | traffic light |
| bangunan | (bah-ngoo-nahn) | building |
| Malay Phrase | English |
|---|---|
| Di mana...? | Where is...? |
| Jalan terus. / Jalan lurus. | Go straight. |
| Belok kanan. | Turn right. |
| Belok kiri. | Turn left. |
| Di sebelah kanan. | On the right side. |
| Selepas... | After... |
Both `lurus` and `terus` can mean "straight," but they have slightly different flavors.
In practice, `Jalan lurus` and `Jalan terus` are often used interchangeably to mean "Go straight ahead," and you will be understood using either.
Master these essential words and phrases for navigation.
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Match the Malay term to its meaning.
belok ( ) straight
lurus ( ) left
kanan ( ) to turn
kiri ( ) rightbelok → to turn
lurus → straight
kanan → right
kiri → leftTranslate the following phrases into Malay.
While street names are used, it's very common in Malaysia for people to give directions based on landmarks. You'll often hear things like, "Belok kiri selepas masjid," (Turn left after the mosque) or "Kedai itu depan 7-Eleven," (The shop is in front of the 7-Eleven). Paying attention to prominent buildings, mosques, temples, and popular chain stores (`bank`, `stesen minyak`, `restoran`) is often more useful than trying to find street signs.
A tourist asking for directions to the post office (`pejabat pos`).
Pelancong: Tumpang tanya, pakcik. Di mana pejabat pos? (toom-pahng tah-nyah, pahk-cheek. dee mah-nah puh-jah-baht pohs?)
Pakcik: Oh, pejabat pos. Dari sini, pakcik jalan terus. (oh, puh-jah-baht pohs. dah-ree see-nee, pahk-cheek jah-lahn tuh-roos.)
Pakcik: Nanti nampak lampu isyarat. Belok kanan di sana. (nahn-tee nahm-pahk lahm-poo ee-shah-raht. bay-lohk kah-nahn dee sah-nah.)
Pakcik: Pejabat pos adalah bangunan biru di sebelah kiri. (puh-jah-baht pohs ah-dah-lah bah-ngoo-nahn bee-roo dee suh-buh-lah kee-ree.)
Pelancong: Terima kasih, pakcik! (tuh-ree-mah kah-seh, pahk-cheek!)
Tourist: Excuse me, uncle. Where is the post office?
Uncle: Oh, the post office. From here, you go straight.
Uncle: Later you'll see a traffic light. Turn right there.
Uncle: The post office is the blue building on the left side.
Tourist: Thank you, uncle!
Syabas! You can now navigate the streets of Malaysia. The next chapter will be a great opportunity to practice and consolidate everything you've learned. In Chapter 21, we will focus on Perbualan Harian (Everyday Conversations), combining greetings, questions, descriptions, and directions into realistic dialogues.