Differences between Malay and Indonesian

The differences between Malay (Bahasa Melayu) and Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) are slightly greater than those between British English and American English. They are mutually intelligible, but with differences in spelling and vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Bahasa Indonesia differs from Bahasa Melayu (also known as Bahasa Malaysia) in having words of Javanese and Dutch origin. For example, the word for 'post office' in Bahasa Melayu is "pejabat pos", whereas in Bahasa Indonesia it is "kantor pos", from the Dutch word for office, kantoor. There are also some Portuguese influences: in Indonesian, Christmas is known as "Natal", whereas Malay uses "Krismas", derived from English.

Related Topics:
Portuguese - Christmas

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ENGLISH BAHASA MELAYUBAHASA INDONESIA

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MarchMacMaret - from Dutch maart

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JuneJunJuni - from Dutch juni

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JulyJulaiJuli - from Dutch juli

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AugustOgosAgustus - from Dutch augustus

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afternoonpetangsore (can also refer to the evening)

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Commonwealth of NationsKomanwelNegara-Negara Persemakmuran

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can (capable of doing ~)dapatbisa

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challengecabaran (tentangan)tantangan

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speakbercakapberbicara - bercakap means 'chat' (also used in Malaysia)

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shopkedai (also used in Indonesia but less common)toko - from Japanese

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balconyberandabalkon

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basinbesenbaskom - from Dutch/German

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eightlapandelapan

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tickettiket (also used in Indonesia)karcis - from Dutch kaartje

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cardkadkartu

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pharmacyfarmasiapotek - from Dutch apotheek

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post codeposkodkode pos

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MondayIsninSenin

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SundayAhad - Minggu means 'week' (also used in Indonesia)Minggu - from Portuguese Domingo

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BritainBritainBritania Inggeris ('English' or 'England' more commonly used)

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IrelandIrelandIrlandia

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JapanJepunJepang - from Portuguese Japão

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SingaporeSingapura (also used in Indonesia)Singapur

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New ZealandNew ZealandSelandia Baru

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USAAmerika SyarikatAmerika Serikat

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(fruit) juicejus (also used in Indonesia)air (buah)

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restaurantrestoran (also used in Indonesia)rumah makan - literally eating house

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fermented ricetapaitape

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passportpaspotpaspor

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policepolispolisi - from Dutch politie

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policypolisikebijakan

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federalpersekutuanfederal

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partypartipartai - from Dutch partij

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sciencesains (also used in Indonesia but less common)ilmu

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becausekeranakarena

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hospitalhospitalrumah sakit (literally means "sick house") from Dutch structure "ziekenhuis"

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electricitytenaga elektrik (literally "electric energy")listrik

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orange (fruit)orenjeruk

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raspberryraspberiframbus - from Portuguese frambuesa

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strawberrystrawberistroberi / arbei - from Dutch aardbei

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iceaises

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ice creamais krimes krim

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zoozookebun binatang, derived from Dutch "dierentuin"

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televisiontelevisyentelevisi - from Dutch televisie

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universityuniversitiuniversitas - from Dutch universiteit

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head officeibu pejabatkantor pusat

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factorykilangpabrik- from German origin

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busbas (also used in Indonesia)bis - Dutch pronunciation of "bus"

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licencelesenlisensi - from Dutch licentie

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driving licencelesen memanduribewis - from Dutch rijbewijs, but surat izin mengemudi (SIM) now more widely used

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carkeretamobil (kereta means 'train')

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