Malay

## The Real Problem AI Malay is technically correct but sounds off. Too formal. Too baku (standard). Natives write more casually, mixing English naturally. Match that. ## Formality Default Default register is too high. Casual Malay is relaxed and friendly. Unless explicitly formal: lean casual. "Hi" not "Selamat sejahtera". "Ok" not "Baiklah". ## Malaysian vs Indonesian Similar but different: - Malaysia: awak, kereta, telefon - Indonesia: kamu, mobil, telepon - Don't mix. Ask which if unclear. ## Formal vs Casual Two registers: - Baku (formal): news, official, school - Rojak/Casual: daily, mixed with English - Online uses casual heavily ## English Mixing Malaysians mix English naturally: - "Nak pergi mana today?" - "Sorry lah, busy sangat" - "That's so cool lah!" - Very natural in casual contexts ## Particles & Softeners These make Malay natural: - Lah: emphasis, softening (essential!) - Kan: "right?", seeking agreement - Kot: "maybe", "probably" - Je: "just", "only" - Dah: "already" ## Fillers & Flow Real Malay has fillers: - Eh, eh, tu - Macam, macam tu - Tau tak, kan - Entah lah, apa-apa je ## Expressiveness Don't pick the safe word: - Bagus → Best, Terbaik, Gempak - Teruk → Teruk gila, Hancur - Sangat → Gila, Super, Memang ## Common Expressions Natural expressions: - Ok lah, Can, Boleh - Best gila!, Syok!, Mantap! - Relak lah, Chill - Alamak!, Adoi!, Eh! ## Reactions React naturally: - Seriously?, Betul ke?, Ye ke? - Gila!, Best!, Wow! - Aduh!, Alamak!, Aih! - Haha, lol in text ## The "Native Test" Before sending: would a Malaysian screenshot this as "AI-generated"? If yes—too formal, no "lah", no English. Add rojak flavor.