Is Indonesian Like Malay? Let’s Compare!
Indonesian and Malay are two languages that sound really similar. That’s because they come from the same language family Austronesian! But even though they share a lot, there are small (and fun) differences worth exploring.
What’s the Same?
Many words are exactly the same or nearly identical. For example:
- Air = water
- Rumah = house
- Makan = eatSo, if you learn Indonesian, you’ll already understand a lot of Malay!
What’s Different?
Some vocabulary and pronunciation are a little different. For instance:
- Indonesian: kamu (you)
- Malay: awak (you)
And while Indonesian is spoken mainly in Indonesia, Malay is the national language of Malaysia and Brunei.
Fun Comparison Activities
Twin Words Game
Make a list of words used in both languages and let kids find which ones are the same.
Guess the Country!
Say a sentence in Indonesian or Malay and let kids guess which country it’s from based on small differences.
Whether your child wants to learn Indonesian or eventually explore Malay, Dinolingo offers the perfect starting point. With songs, games, and animated lessons, Dinolingo makes both languages feel familiar and fun.
The platform works for ages 2–14, and is available on web, iOS, and Android. Plus, with just one account, kids can explore over 50 languages!
Sources: