Malay Words in English

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Instructions: From bamboo to orangutan, discover the Malay language origins behind some surprising English words!

1.
The word 'orangutan' comes from the Malay 'orang utan.' What does it literally mean?
A
Red ape
B
Jungle king
C
Person of the forest
D
Tree climber
2.
Which English word for a tall tropical grass comes from the Malay 'bambu'?
A
Reed
B
Cane
C
Rattan
D
Bamboo
3.
The word 'ketchup' is believed to have Malay origins from 'kecap.' What did 'kecap' originally refer to?
A
A sweet syrup
B
A fermented fish sauce
C
A tomato paste
D
A spicy chili sauce
4.
Which English word for a type of dagger with a wavy blade comes from the Malay 'keris'?
A
Machete
B
Kukri
C
Kris
D
Scimitar
5.
The word 'amok' (as in 'running amok') comes from the Malay 'amuk.' What does 'amuk' describe?
A
Wild celebration
B
A hunting ritual
C
A war dance
D
A frenzied, uncontrollable state
6.
Which English word for a type of large sailing vessel comes from the Malay 'prahu'?
A
Junk
B
Proa
C
Catamaran
D
Dhow
7.
The word 'gong' is borrowed from Malay. What is a gong?
A
A ceremonial bell
B
A type of drum
C
A large metal disc that produces sound when struck
D
A wooden xylophone
8.
Which English word for a type of palm climbing plant comes from the Malay 'rotan'?
A
Rattan
B
Creeper
C
Vine
D
Wicker
9.
The word 'compound' (an enclosed area) entered English from the Malay 'kampung.' What does 'kampung' mean?
A
A fortress
B
A marketplace
C
A village or enclosed living area
D
A farm
10.
Which word for the natural rubber tree product came through Malay trade routes?
A
Latex
B
Gutta-percha
C
Sap
D
Resin
11.
The word 'paddy' (as in rice paddy) comes from the Malay 'padi.' What does 'padi' specifically refer to?
A
Wet soil
B
A flooded field
C
Rice in the husk or rice growing in a field
D
A type of grain
12.
Which English word for a long machete-like knife used in the tropics comes from Malay?
A
Cleaver
B
Machete
C
Parang
D
Bolo
13.
The word 'sarong' comes from the Malay 'sarung.' What does a sarong consist of?
A
A woven belt
B
A length of fabric wrapped around the body
C
A type of sandal
D
A head covering
14.
Which word for a type of small boat or canoe comes from the Malay 'sampan'?
A
Sampan
B
Dinghy
C
Kayak
D
Coracle
15.
The word 'durian' (a spiky tropical fruit) comes from the Malay 'duri.' What does 'duri' mean?
A
Hard shell
B
Tropical
C
Thorn or spike
D
Smelly

Answer Key

Question 1

C. Person of the forest

Question 2

D. Bamboo

Question 3

B. A fermented fish sauce

Question 4

C. Kris

Question 5

D. A frenzied, uncontrollable state

Question 6

B. Proa

Question 7

C. A large metal disc that produces sound when struck

Question 8

A. Rattan

Question 9

C. A village or enclosed living area

Question 10

B. Gutta-percha

Question 11

C. Rice in the husk or rice growing in a field

Question 12

C. Parang

Question 13

B. A length of fabric wrapped around the body

Question 14

A. Sampan

Question 15

C. Thorn or spike

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