The Malaysian ‘LAH’ is that ubiquitous word that peppers every conversation in Malaysia. You need to know this if you conduct business here or to holiday in Malaysia.
The Malaysian ‘LAH’ – the Glue that holds Malaysians Together
One of the first things most foreigners notice when speaking to Malaysians is the little LAH that ends their sentences.
There’s this random tag at the end of the sentence and after certain words.
If you ask Malaysians to say that to you in English, the reply will most probably be,
You will notice the suffix “LAH” at the end of most sentences for first-time visitors.
Most foreigners are perplexed by this.
Malaysian use the word ‘LAH’ frequently in conversation.
‘LAH’ is a suffix that adds emphasis to what one is saying.
The suffix used when speaking in English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil, and local dialects!
There are ten Malay dialects found in Peninsula Malaysia and Borneo Malaysia.
- Bahasa Malaysia
- Kelantanese
- Terengganuan
- Kedahan
- Sarawakian
- Bajau
- Negeri Sembilan Malay
- Banjar
- Bruneian and
- Indonesian
Conversely, LAH is the most used suffix in Malaysia and used millions of times throughout the country.
LAH is sometimes used for emphasis and sometimes for NO reason at all.
Are you confused now?
What does this mean? Why do you say LAH?
“LAH” is a suffix in Bahasa Malaysia (Malay language) that emphasizes a word or phrase.
“Just do it” roughly translate into “Buat saja.”
Nevertheless, it becomes more forceful by adding the suffix, e.g., “Buat saja LAH.”
Do you say Blah to the Malaysian LAH?
The Malaysian LAH word
LAH is written after a comma for clarity, but there is never a pause before it.
In the original Malay, ‘LAH’ is placed at the end of the word and is not a separate word by itself.
In Malay, ‘LAH’ is often used to soften the tone or a verb that can sound very commanding and deem to be impolite.
For example,
“to drink” is “minum” hence.
“Here, drink!” is “minum LAH.”
‘LAH’ is frequently used with imperatives in Manglish so that you will hear.
“Drink, LAH!” (Come on, drink!)
‘LAH’ also occurs frequently with “Yes” and “No,” resulting in a less brusque sound and a smoother conversation flow.
“Yah LAH” and “No LAH”
The Malaysian LAH
How to use The Malaysian LAH?
Malaysians use LAH with short, brief, negative responses.
Q: “Borrow my money, can?”
A: Don’t have, LAH!
Fumbling responses can be softened with Don’t know, LAH!
The Malaysian LAH can be used for reassurance.
It’s alright. – It’s okay, LAH!
Don’t worry; it can be done. – Don’t worry, LAH! Can do one!
The Malaysian LAH can be used for emphasis.
LAH is used in a spoken list and appears after each item. You can hear this in the Mamak stalls as the waiter prattle on about the menu items.
“Boss, got Roti Canai LAH, Chapatti LAH, Mee Goreng LAH, Nasi Goreng LAH, Nasi Lemak LAH, Sup Kambing, Ayam, Lembu LAH, Teh Tarik LAH, Everything got LAH!”
The origins of The Malaysian LAH
Malaysians use the LAH as a slang word to complement almost any sentence available in a social setting and conversation.
The origins of this slang are from the Malay language.
The people who don’t use the -LAH slang is considered a snob to a certain degree.
Q: Hey, can you lend me five ringgit?
A: Sorry, LAH, I need money to pay for my cab and lunch LAH!
Q: Can you help me for a minute?
A: Ok, LAH!
What’s in a word? What LAH?
LAH – the simple three-letter word can mean different things in different contexts.
- Affirmation
- Dismissal
- Exasperation
- Exclamation
- Comic
Affirmation
An affirmation shortened to “Okay, LAH.”
Dismissal
“No, LAH.”
Exasperation
“No, LAH, I told you I didn’t do that.”
Exclamation
“So expensive-LAH,”
Comic
“He is so handsome, how can he be your boyfriend LAH!” or
“She is too pretty to go out with a frog-like you, la!”
When to use The Malaysian LAH?
The quintessential ‘LAH’ peppers spoken English from the street stalls, tourist spots, schools, places of worship, and yes, even government offices!
To native English speakers, ‘LAH’ is a particle. Something English language professors call a ‘pragmatic particle.’
How to use LAH?
Even though ‘LAH’ has a linguistic definition and its use has an internal consistency and structure, It is an intuitive word born out of the context in social situations.
The much-loved everyday expression ‘LAH’ is often more than just a cute colloquialism.
It is part of spoken English, Malaysian English, or Manglish.
The Malaysian LAH Novice.
It doesn’t work out well for the ‘LAH’ novice – to sprinkle it in every sentence.
It sounds strangely weird to the Malaysian ear.
This overkill akin to cutting spring onions with an axe.
A Malaysian can often tell when ‘LAH’ is misused – sometimes, they can’t logically explain why.
Most of the time, they will laugh, shrug at your suka-suka (doing whatever you like, regardless)usage, and maybe say, “no, LAH!”
It was me like me listening to myself as I speak. I think I sound hilarious at times.
How to LAH
So what is The Malaysian LAH?
The urban dictionary defines LAH as “a suffix of no standard meaning.
They are often used in Malaysian English (affectionately named Manglish).
The LAH spices up sentences and to express very different meanings according to the way it is said.
The history of The Malaysian LAH
Malaysians are not exactly clear of the origins of “LAH.”
Or how this word found its way into the English spoken by Malaysians.
The origins of the Malaysian LAH – could be from the Malay, Chinese, or any local dialects or languages.
Malaysians speak good English as a rule, but it is equally strange that they place LAH at the end of their sentences very often.
If you’re a visitor, it takes some time to get used to this.
Is there a Chinese LAH?
So if you ask a Chinese in any county what 啦 means, you would get the answer for LAH’s meaning, just translated to the Malay, Indian, or Manglish language.
If you are from the East and think about how Malaysians speak in Mandarin, I’m sorry I don’t have any examples. Maybe these few words will help explain.
ApaLAH – 什么啦 – what LAH
IniLAH – 这个啦 – this LAH
ItuLAH – 那个啦 – that LAH
KenapaLAH – 为什么啦 – why LAH
To LAH or not to LAH
So do we LAH or not to LAH.
Malaysians will be able to sniff you out in a second!
And tell that somehow, sorry-LAH, you don’t make the grade.
W the LAH Novice would say – you read this sentence aloud LAH.
“I-LAH tell you-LAH how-LAH many times-LAH but-LAH you never-LAH listen.”
So it is better not to LAH – else your Malaysian friend will probably cringe.
There’s no way you can LAH your way out of this; any Malaysian can tell straight-away that this is an impostor.
The art of LAH is, quite simply, not easy for those not born into the culture.
It’s like waking from dreams of feasting on durians and then driving to Balik Pulau in Penang to eat Durian and Assam Laksa.
To a Malaysian, that is a logical thing to do.
Even Malaysians who live in Kuala Lumpur or Ipoh or some say Johor will think nothing of – driving to Balik Pulau in Penang to eat Durian and Assam Laksa.
What I am trying to say is this – you need to be born into the culture to use The Malaysian LAH sensibly and effectively.
You can try a few (ahem) sophisticated variations of Malaysian LAH usage for those not born into the language.
E: You’re no fun at all!
M: “No, fun-LAH, you!”
E: Can’t you even do such a simple thing?
M: “You see-LAH, like that, also you cannot do!”
You see, you can learn it formally. You got to hang out with the Malaysians, stay around for some time, and over time, you pick it up.
It’s like the Malaysian Durian. An acquired taste. Only less pungent LAH!
If you know of any Malaysian LAH usage that you find funny or just wrong, share with us.
We would love to LAH with you!
