The Home in Malay: Rumah, Bilik and Dapur
Malay vocabulary for the house, rooms and everyday household items, plus a note on the traditional Malay house.
Home vocabulary is useful if you rent a place, stay with a family or want to describe where you live.
Rooms
| Malay | Meaning |
|---|---|
| rumah | house, home |
| bilik | room |
| bilik tidur | bedroom |
| bilik air | bathroom |
| dapur | kitchen |
| ruang tamu | living room |
| bilik makan | dining room |
| beranda | veranda |
| taman | garden |
| tangga | stairs |
| pintu | door |
| tingkap | window |
| bumbung | roof |
| lantai | floor |
Household items
| Malay | Meaning |
|---|---|
| meja | table |
| kerusi | chair |
| katil | bed |
| almari | cupboard |
| kipas | fan |
| televisyen | television |
| peti sejuk | refrigerator |
| lampu | lamp, light |
| kunci | key |
| telefon | phone |
| cermin | mirror |
| tilam | mattress |
| bantal | pillow |
Useful sentences
- Rumah saya kecil. — My house is small.
- Bilik tidur di tingkat atas. — The bedroom is upstairs.
- Buka pintu. — Open the door.
- Tutup tingkap. — Close the window.
- Pasang kipas. — Turn on the fan.
- Matikan lampu. — Turn off the light.
The traditional Malay house
The traditional Malay house, or rumah Melayu, is often built on stilts, with wooden walls and large windows for air flow. The raised floor helps with heat, floods and ventilation. Guests are usually welcomed at the veranda.
Customs
Take off your shoes before entering a home. Greet the family, and accept a drink if it's offered.
Renting
- sewa — rent
- tuan rumah — landlord
- perabot — furniture
- bil — bill
Tips
- Label items with their Malay names.
- Learn the location words (atas, bawah, dalam, luar).
- Use the dictionary to check words.
English Malay Dictionary
Offline English–Malay (Bahasa Melayu) dictionary with clear, accurate meanings
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