Colours in Malay: Merah, Biru, Hijau and More

Colour words in Malay are short and never change form. They follow the noun they describe.

The colours

English	Malay
red	merah
blue	biru
green	hijau
yellow	kuning
black	hitam
white	putih
orange	oren, jingga
pink	merah jambu
brown	coklat, perang
grey	kelabu
purple	ungu
gold	emas

Warna (warna) means "colour".

Using colours

The colour comes after the noun:

• kereta merah — a red car
• baju putih — a white shirt
• bunga kuning — a yellow flower
• rumah biru — a blue house

Add berwarna ("coloured") for a fuller phrase: kereta berwarna merah (a car that is red).

Light and dark

Add muda (young, light) or tua (old, dark):

• biru muda — light blue
• hijau tua — dark green
• merah tua — dark red

Asking about colour

• Apa warna ini? — What colour is this?
• Warna kegemaran awak apa? — What is your favourite colour?
• Ini warna merah. — This is red.

Colours in culture

• Kuning (yellow) is traditionally linked with royalty in Malay culture.
• Hijau (green) is associated with Islam and nature.
• Merah (red) is considered lucky in Chinese Malaysian celebrations.

Meanings differ between communities in Malaysia's multicultural society.

Useful sentences

• Saya suka warna biru. — I like blue.
• Langit berwarna biru. — The sky is blue.
• Dia memakai baju hijau. — She is wearing a green shirt.

Tips

1. Put colours after the noun.
2. Use muda and tua for shades.
3. Use the dictionary to check words.

Look up any word with English Malay Dictionary →