Jawi: The Arabic-Based Script of the Malay World
What Jawi is, how it developed, where you still see it, and how it relates to the Latin (Rumi) spelling used today.
Malay is usually written today in the Latin alphabet, called Rumi. But for centuries it was written in Jawi, an adaptation of the Arabic script, and Jawi is still seen across the Malay world.
What is Jawi?
Jawi uses Arabic letters, with extra letters added for Malay sounds that Arabic lacks. It is written from right to left, like Arabic. It spread with Islam in Southeast Asia, and became the standard script for Malay literature, letters and court documents.
Extra letters
Malay has sounds that Arabic doesn't, so additional letters were created, usually by adding dots to existing letters:
| Sound | Jawi letter |
|---|---|
| ng | ڠ |
| ny | ڽ |
| p | ڤ |
| g | ݢ |
| c | چ |
An example
The word Melayu (Malay) in Jawi is ملايو, and buku (book) is بوكو.
Rumi arrives
From the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the Latin alphabet spread through colonial administration and printing, and it gradually became the everyday script.
Where you still see Jawi
- Street and shop signs, alongside Rumi, in parts of Malaysia and Brunei
- Religious schools and texts
- Official documents and heritage sites
- Historic manuscripts and inscriptions
- Brunei, where Jawi is widely used
Why learners might care
- It unlocks heritage material: old texts, gravestones and manuscripts.
- It explains spelling, as some Rumi spellings reflect Arabic sources.
- It helps you read signs, especially in Brunei.
Is it necessary?
No. You can learn Malay fully in Rumi. Jawi is a bonus for those interested in history, religion or culture.
Learning Jawi
Start with the Arabic-style letters and their connected forms, then practise reading simple words. A dictionary in Rumi helps you check meanings.
Tips
- Learn a few Jawi letters for fun.
- Look for Jawi on signs.
- Use the dictionary to check Rumi spellings.
English Malay Dictionary
Offline English–Malay (Bahasa Melayu) dictionary with clear, accurate meanings
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