馃嚥馃嚲 Malay phrases

How to Say "Good afternoon" in Malay

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Selamat petang
"Good afternoon" in Malay 路 say it like suh-lah-maht peh-tahng

The most natural way to say "Good afternoon" in Malay is Selamat petang. 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

Selamat sore
used in some regions, particularly in Indonesia

When to use it

You can use 'Selamat petang' when greeting someone in the afternoon, typically after 12 PM until sunset. It is a polite and friendly way to acknowledge someone during this time. This phrase is suitable for both formal and casual settings.

Say it out loud, get corrected

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

Examples in Malay

MalayEnglish
Selamat petang, apa khabar?Good afternoon, how are you?
Selamat petang, saya harap hari anda baik.Good afternoon, I hope your day is good.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'petang' with 'pagi' (morning) and use it at the wrong time.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Selamat petang, 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

Is 'Selamat petang' used in all Malay-speaking countries?

Yes, it is commonly used in Malaysia and Brunei, while 'Selamat sore' is more common in Indonesia.

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