Jobs and Occupations in Malay
Malay words for common jobs, how to say what you do, and how to ask about someone's work.
Talking about jobs is one of the first topics in conversation. Malay job words are often easy to build.
Common jobs
| Malay | Meaning |
|---|---|
| guru | teacher |
| doktor | doctor |
| jururawat | nurse |
| jurutera | engineer |
| pelajar | student |
| peguam | lawyer |
| petani | farmer |
| nelayan | fisherman |
| pemandu | driver |
| polis | police officer |
| tukang masak | cook |
| pekerja | worker |
| peniaga | trader, businessperson |
| pegawai | officer |
| akauntan | accountant |
The prefix pe-
Many job words use pe- meaning "one who": pelajar (from belajar, to study), pemandu (from memandu, to drive), pekerja (from kerja, work).
Saying what you do
- Saya seorang guru. — I am a teacher.
- Dia seorang doktor. — He/she is a doctor.
- Saya bekerja di bank. — I work at a bank.
- Saya bekerja sendiri. — I work for myself.
- Saya sedang mencari kerja. — I am looking for work.
Seorang is "one person", used with jobs.
Asking
- Awak buat kerja apa? — What work do you do?
- Awak bekerja di mana? — Where do you work?
- Awak suka kerja awak? — Do you like your job?
Workplaces
| Malay | Meaning |
|---|---|
| pejabat | office |
| kilang | factory |
| sekolah | school |
| hospital | hospital |
| ladang | farm, plantation |
| kedai | shop |
Work words
- gaji — salary
- kerja — work
- mesyuarat — meeting
- cuti — leave, holiday
- rakan sekerja — colleague
- bos / majikan — boss, employer
Tips
- Learn seorang with jobs.
- Spot the pe- prefix.
- Use the dictionary to check terms.
English Malay Dictionary
Offline English–Malay (Bahasa Melayu) dictionary with clear, accurate meanings
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