Malay Alphabet

Malay Alphabet

Introduction to the Malay Alphabet

The Malay alphabet, also known as Jawi, is the script used to write the Malay language in Malaysia. This alphabet has roots dating back over 700 years and is a combination of elements from the Latin and Arabic scripts. The Malay alphabet holds great significance in the country's culture and heritage, as it is used to write the rich and historical Malay language.


Characteristics of the Malay Alphabet

The Malay alphabet consists of 28 characters, including Latin letters such as a, b, c, d, e, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, and z, as well as Arabic characters such as f, s, and k. This unique combination of characters makes the Malay alphabet easily readable and writable.


Importance of Learning the Malay Alphabet

For students in Malaysia, learning the Malay alphabet, its pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, and words is an important aspect of their education. The Malay alphabet plays a crucial role in preserving the Malay language and culture, making it a critical aspect of the education system in the country.


Use of the Malay Alphabet in Different Contexts

The Malay alphabet is widely used in Malaysia in a variety of contexts, including writing letters, books, and other texts, signs and advertisements, music, and poetry. This script is designed to be easily read and written, making it an integral part of Malaysian society.



In conclusion, the Malay alphabet holds great significance in the Malay language and culture. It is an important aspect of the education system in Malaysia, and its use in different contexts helps preserve the Malay language and heritage. Learning the Malay alphabet is a crucial step for anyone looking to master the language and gain a deeper understanding of the country's rich culture and history.

A/a

aa
B/b

aa
C/c

aa
D/d

aa
E/e

aa
F/f

aa
G/g

aa
H/h

aa
I/i

aa
J/j

aa
K/k

aa
L/l

aa
M/m

aa
N/n

aa
O/o

aa
P/p

aa
Q/q

aa
R/r

aa
S/s

aa
T/t

aa
U/u

aa
V/v

aa
W/w

aa
X/x

aa
Y/y

aa
Z/z

aa

Malay Alphabet - Fact Sheet

  • How Many people speak Malay?

    Arabic and its different dialects are spoken by around 422 million speakers (native and non-native) in the Arab world as well as in the Arab diaspora making it one of the five most spoken languages in the world.

  • In which countries Malay is spoken?
    • Malysia
    • Indoensia
    • East Timor
    • Brunei
    • Singapore
    • Christmas Island
    • Cocos (Keeling) Islands
  • Which Reading direction does Malay have?

    Left to right

  • In which Language Group is Malay?

    Austronesian

  • What kind of alphabet does Malay have?

    Latin -  Malay alphabet

    Arabic - Jawi alphabet

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