馃嚥馃嚲 Malay phrases

How to Say "Excuse me" in Malay

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Maaf
"Excuse me" in Malay 路 say it like mah-ahf

The most natural way to say "Excuse me" in Malay is Maaf. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Maafkan saya
more formal, used when you want to apologize sincerely
Permisi
used in casual situations, often when trying to pass by someone

When to use it

You can use 'Maaf' when you want to politely interrupt someone or get their attention. It is also appropriate when you want to apologize for a mistake. Use it in both formal and informal settings.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Excuse me" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Malay

MalayEnglish
Maaf, bolehkah saya bertanya?Excuse me, may I ask a question?
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'Maaf' with 'Maafkan saya', using the latter in casual situations where a simple 'Maaf' suffices.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Maaf, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Malay with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use 'Permisi' instead of 'Maaf'?

'Permisi' is more appropriate when you want to pass by someone or interrupt a conversation briefly.

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