Useful Phrases in Sabah
Last updated: 2026-03-08
Essential Phrases at a Glance
Save this interactive cheat sheet for quick reference. Click the "Copy" button to copy Malay phrases to your clipboard for messaging or translation apps.
Selamat datang
seh-LAH-mat dah-TAHNG
Welcome
Terima kasih
tuh-REE-muh KAH-sih
Thank you
Berapa harga?
buh-RAH-puh HAR-guh
How much?
Di mana...?
dee MAH-nuh
Where is...?
Ya/Tidak
yah / tee-DAHK
Yes/No
Maaf
mah-AHF
Sorry
Tolong
TOH-long
Please/Help
Sama-sama
SAH-muh-SAH-muh
You're welcome
Saya tak faham
suh-YUH tahk FAH-hum
I don't understand
Permisi
per-MEE-see
Excuse me
SabahGuide sabahguide.com
Ordering at the Kopitiam
A "kopitiam" is a traditional coffee shop—a cultural institution in Sabah. Learning to order like a local makes for an authentic experience and endears you to locals instantly.
Common Orders
Kopi-O
Black coffee + sugar
RM 1.50–2
Kopi-O Kosong
Black, no sugar
RM 1.50–2
Kopi-C
With condensed milk
RM 1.50–2
Teh Tarik
Pulled tea (national drink!)
RM 2–3
Customization Phrases
"Kurang manis" — Less sweet
"Kurang pedas" — Less spicy
"Panas" — Hot (temperature)
"Sejuk" — Cold/iced
Tip: Kopitiam culture is quintessential Sabah. Arrive early for peak hours (7–9 AM), bring cash (many are cash-only), and enjoy the local vibe with breakfast pastries like "roti bakar" (grilled bread with butter and sugar).
SabahGuide sabahguide.com
Numbers & Basic Math
1–10: Satu, dua, tiga, empat, lima, enam, tujuh, delapan, sembilan, sepuluh
Larger numbers: Sebelas (11), dua puluh (20), seratus (100), seribu (1,000), sejuta (1 million)
Numbers follow a phonetic pattern, making them intuitive once you get the rhythm. Practice counting aloud to build confidence.
Directions & Transport
Navigating Sabah is easier with these essentials:
- Jalan terus — Go straight
- Belok kiri — Turn left
- Belok kanan — Turn right
- Berhenti di sini — Stop here (for taxis/Grab)
- Berapa jauh? — How far?
Ride-Hailing Apps
Grab dominates Sabah's ride-hailing market. Use it for reliable transportation. Drivers often speak English, but sharing a location via WhatsApp is safest.
Food & Dining Phrases
Sabah's food scene is world-class. Communicate your preferences and dietary needs:
- Kurang pedas — Less spicy
- Tak nak gula — No sugar
- Halal ka? — Is this halal?
- Bungkus — Takeaway/to go
- Kurang manis — Less sweet (for drinks)
Must-Try Sabah Dishes
Hinava (raw fish in lime), Tuaran mee (handmade noodles), nasi lemak, roti canai, and fresh seafood. Food is deeply cultural here—asking for recommendations shows genuine interest.
Shopping & Bargaining
Markets and street vendors are the heart of Sabahan commerce. Light bargaining is normal and expected:
- Berapa harga? — How much is this?
- Mahal — Expensive
- Murah — Cheap
- Boleh kurang? — Can you reduce the price?
- Ada diskaun? — Any discount?
- Saya ambil ini — I'll take this
Bargaining Etiquette
Smile and be good-natured. Aggressive bargaining is considered rude. A 10–20% reduction is typical. In shops and restaurants, prices are fixed—don't bargain there.
The Sabah Signature: "Bah"
Sabah Malay replaces the peninsular Malaysian "lah" with "bah." It adds emphasis, agreement, and a friendly tone:
- Bagus bah! — Good! (vs. standard "Bagus lah!")
- Boleh bah — It's okay
- Makan bah! — Let's eat!
- Jalan bah — Let's go!
Using "bah" shows cultural awareness and locals will appreciate the effort. It's the ultimate phrase to fit in.
Emergency Phrases
Know These
- Tolong! — Help!
- Panggil polis! — Call the police!
- Panggil ambulans! — Call an ambulance!
- Di mana hospital? — Where's the hospital?
Pronunciation Masterclass
Malay is beautifully phonetic—once you learn the rules, pronunciation is consistent:
- Vowels: A=ah, E=eh/uh, I=ee, O=oh, U=oo
- Consonants: C always "ch", G always hard, H always pronounced, R gently rolled
- Combinations: Ng = single sound (like "sing"), Ny = "canyon"
- Stress: Usually on the penultimate (second-to-last) syllable
Practice Tip
Listen to native speakers on YouTube. The language has a melodic rhythm—getting the cadence right matters more than perfect pronunciation.
Indigenous Languages: Respect & Awareness
Sabah is home to diverse indigenous languages:
- Kadazan-Dusun — Spoken by ~40% of Sabah's population, UNESCO-designated endangered language
- Bajau "Sama" — Spoken by maritime communities on the west and east coasts
- Chinese dialects — Hakka (dominant), Cantonese, Hokkien
Learning a simple phrase like "Aramaiti" (having a jolly time/celebration) shows respect for Kadazan culture. However, English and Malay are sufficient—locals value effort over fluency.
Words You'll Definitely Hear (But Shouldn't Repeat)
Proceed With Caution
What follows is a 100% real, uncensored guide to the colourful vocabulary you WILL encounter in Sabah — in traffic, at markets, during football matches, and after someone cuts the queue. This section exists purely for cultural education. We take no responsibility if you use these at a family dinner. You've been warned.
Every culture has its spicy words, and Sabah's multilingual melting pot means you get swear words in at least four languages. Here's what you'll hear — rated by heat level.
| Word | Language | Say It | Meaning | Heat | When You'll Hear It |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamak | Malay | AH-lah-mak | Oh my! / Oh no! | 🌶 | When someone drops their phone or spills teh tarik. Perfectly safe to use. |
| Palui | Kadazan | pah-LOO-ee | Stupid / Foolish | 🌶🌶 | The quintessential Sabah word. Friends call each other this constantly. "Eh palui, where you going?" is basically a term of endearment. |
| Bui | Hakka | BOO-ee | Damn / Idiot | 🌶🌶 | Sabah has a massive Hakka Chinese community, so this one crosses all ethnic lines. Mild enough for the office, spicy enough for the road. |
| Sot | Sabah Slang | SOHT | Crazy / Nuts | 🌶🌶 | "That driver sot already!" — standard commentary during any drive through KK. Also heard when prices are too high. |
| Bodoh | Malay | BOH-doh | Stupid | 🌶🌶🌶 | The classic Malay insult. Used nationwide. Gets heated if said to someone's face rather than about a situation. |
| Sial | Malay | SEE-al | Damn / Bad luck | 🌶🌶🌶 | Stubbed your toe? Missed your flight? Got caught in a downpour without an umbrella? "Sial!" is the universal response. |
| Celaka | Malay | cheh-LAH-kah | Damn / Cursed | 🌶🌶🌶 | Stronger than sial. Often muttered at broken-down cars, late buses, and politicians on TV. |
| Babi | Malay | BAH-bee | Pig (used as insult) | 🌶🌶🌶🌶 | Literally means "pig" but used as a strong insult. Extra offensive to Muslims since pigs are haram. Never use this around Muslim friends. Seriously. |
| Kimak | Malay | KEE-mahk | Shortened version of... see below | 🌶🌶🌶🌶 | The "diet version" of the nuclear option. Heard in traffic jams, football matches, and online gaming sessions across Sabah. |
| Pukimak | Malay | POO-kee-mahk | The ultimate Malaysian insult (refers to... maternal anatomy) | 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 | The nuclear option. You WILL hear this in KK traffic, especially during rush hour on the Penampang bypass. Do not use. Do not repeat. Just nod knowingly and pretend you didn't hear it. |
The Golden Rule
Knowing these words is cultural literacy. Using them is another story. Stick to "palui" and "alamak" if you want to sound local without starting a fight. And if someone calls you "palui" with a smile — congratulations, you've been accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q What's the difference between Sabah Malay and standard Malay?
Sabah Malay uses "bah" instead of "lah" for emphasis and sounds more casual. For example: "Bagus bah!" (Good!) vs standard "Bagus lah!" Both are understood, but using "bah" shows cultural awareness. Pronunciation is slightly different too—more relaxed and laid-back.
Q How important is it to learn Malay phrases?
Very helpful but not essential. About 72% of Sabahans speak English well, especially in tourism areas. However, locals deeply appreciate when visitors try Malay—it's seen as respectful and opens doors to better service and authentic interactions. Even basic phrases go a long way.
Q What's the best way to order coffee in Sabah?
Visit a "kopitiam" (traditional coffee shop) and order: Kopi-O (black coffee with sugar), Kopi-O kosong (black, no sugar), Kopi-C (with condensed milk), or Teh tarik (pulled tea). Say "Kurang manis" for less sweet. It's a quintessential local experience and very affordable (RM1.50–3).
Q Are there indigenous languages I should know about?
Kadazan-Dusun is the largest indigenous language with about 40% of Sabah's population speaking it. Learning simple greetings like "Aramaiti" (celebration/jolly time) is culturally meaningful. However, English and Malay are sufficient for tourists. Respect for local heritage is more important than fluency.
Q What emergency phrases should I memorize?
Key ones: "Tolong!" (Help!), "Panggil polis!" (Call police!), "Panggil ambulans!" (Call ambulance!), "Di mana hospital?" (Where's the hospital?). Emergency numbers: 999 or 112 for police/ambulance, 994 for fire. Save these in your phone just in case.
Q Is bargaining expected in Sabah?
In markets and with street vendors, light bargaining is normal and expected. Use phrases like "Berapa?" (How much?), "Mahal" (Expensive), "Boleh kurang?" (Can you reduce?), or "Ada diskaun?" (Any discount?). Smile and be friendly—aggressive bargaining is considered rude. In shops and restaurants, prices are fixed.
Sources & References 5 sources
Last verified: 2026-03-08