Malay Proverbs (Peribahasa) and What They Mean

Peribahasa are proverbs and sayings, and they are a big part of Malay speech and writing. Many use images from nature and village life.

Well-known proverbs

Malay	Literal meaning	Message
Sedikit demi sedikit, lama-lama menjadi bukit.	little by little, eventually a hill	small efforts add up
Berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing.	heavy loads carried together, light loads carried together	share both burdens and joys
Alah membeli, menang memakai.	lose in buying, win in using	quality is worth paying for
Bagai aur dengan tebing.	like bamboo and riverbank	a mutually supportive relationship
Di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung.	where the earth is trodden, there the sky is upheld	respect local customs
Air dicincang tidak akan putus.	chopped water does not break	family ties cannot be broken by quarrels
Seperti kacang lupakan kulit.	like a bean forgetting its shell	ungrateful

Notes

• Sedikit demi sedikit encourages patience and steady effort.
• Berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing is used to praise cooperation, especially in communities and families.
• Di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung advises visitors to respect local customs. It is a good motto for travellers.
• Air dicincang tidak akan putus is often said of siblings: they may quarrel, but the bond remains.

Types of sayings

Malay has several kinds of fixed expressions:

Type	Meaning
peribahasa	proverbs and sayings in general
pepatah	proverbs giving advice
perumpamaan	similes, often starting with "bagai" or "seperti"

Similes with bagai and seperti

Many sayings begin with bagai or seperti ("like"): bagai aur dengan tebing, seperti kacang lupakan kulit.