Indonesian vs. Malay: Key Differences and Learning Tips Explained

What are the differences between Indonesian and Malaysian?

Indonesian and Malaysian (Malay)—at first glance, these two languages appear very similar.

Those who have traveled to Southeast Asia may have noticed that similar words are used in both Indonesia and Malaysia.

Many people interested in Indonesian or Malaysian culture often wonder, "Which one should I study?"

In this article, we will provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the differences and relationship between Indonesian and Malaysian (Malay), ranging from their historical backgrounds to actual usage scenarios!

While Indonesian and Malaysian share the same linguistic roots, they have each undergone their own unique development.

By reading this article, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of both Indonesian and Malaysian.

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Since you can read up to 5,000 characters for free, it can be utilized in various situations, from learning Indonesian or Malaysian to creating YouTube video narrations in those languages.

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Are Indonesian and Malaysian Similar? Explaining the Differences and Relationship

Have you ever heard that Indonesian and Malaysian are very similar languages?

In fact, many travelers to Southeast Asia often say that "the same kind of words worked in both Indonesia and Malaysia."

So, what exactly are the differences between Indonesian and Malaysian?

Indonesian and Malaysian are "Similar but Not Identical" Languages

To give you the answer first, Indonesian and Malaysian are languages that are "similar but not the same."

For example, if a speaker of standard Japanese (Kanto dialect) hears the Satsuma or Tsugaru dialects, they might roughly understand the meaning but not comprehend it completely.

Also, between the Kanto and Kansai dialects in Japan, there are differences in specific word usage for greetings or proper nouns.

The relationship between Indonesian and Malaysian is somewhat similar to that sensation.

However, the difference lies in the fact that they are recognized as the standard languages of separate countries, rather than just dialects.

To compare them to other languages, it is said that the difference is greater than that between British English and American English, yet they are closer than Spanish and Portuguese.

Many travelers experience that "studying Indonesian also worked in Malaysia."

Conversely, there are cases where "learning Malaysian allowed me to get by in Indonesia."

However, it is often the case that communication is not perfectly seamless.

• Finding unknown words when reading a menu at a restaurant
• Being unable to understand what a taxi driver is saying

Such occurrences are not uncommon.

When deciding whether to learn Indonesian or Malaysian, this "similar but different" distinction and relationship is an important point.

How Many People Speak Indonesian and Malaysian?

Next, we will briefly introduce how many people speak Indonesian and Malaysian.

Indonesian Has Over 200 Million Speakers!

Indonesian is a language used by over 200 million people.

The population of Indonesia is approximately 280 million, making it the 4th largest in the world.

Since Indonesian is the common language, almost all Indonesians can understand and speak it.

The most significant characteristic of Indonesian is that it is considered a crucial language for unifying the nation of Indonesia.

In Indonesia, over 700 regional languages such as Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese coexist, but Indonesian was chosen as the common language instead of any of those.

This was done to prevent any specific language (and ethnic group) from dominating the country.

For this reason, many Indonesian citizens do not have Indonesian as their native tongue, and it is often a second language used in formal settings.

However, in recent years, the number of people who speak Indonesian as their first language has been increasing.

In this way, Indonesian is one of the most spoken languages in Southeast Asia.

Even on a global scale, Indonesian ranks within the top 10 languages by number of speakers.

Malaysian (Malay) Has Approximately 25 Million Speakers

The number of Malaysian (Malay) speakers is estimated to be around 25 million.

Malaysia has a population of approximately 34 million and is a multi-ethnic nation: Malays make up about 58%, and when combined with other indigenous groups (Bumiputera), they account for about 70%. Chinese make up about 22%, and Indians about 7%.

As the national language, Malaysian (Malay) is studied by all citizens in school.

Additionally, there are Malay speakers in Singapore and Brunei.

In Singapore specifically, Malay is one of the official languages, and the lyrics of the national anthem are written in Malay.

Furthermore, dialects of Malay are spoken in the three southern provinces of Thailand (Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat).

Historically, it was also used as a trade language in the southern Philippines.

While there are differences between Indonesian and Malaysian, looking at the Malay-speaking world as a whole, it is an important language used across a vast region.

What are the Differences Between Indonesian and Malaysian? Differences in Expression through Vocabulary

A clear example that illustrates the differences and relationship between Indonesian and Malaysian can be found in common everyday vocabulary.

Let's look at specific examples where different words are used for the same meaning.

Why are There Vocabulary Differences Between Indonesian and Malaysian?

The primary reason for the differences between Indonesian and Malaysian lies in the history of the colonial era.

In Indonesia, which was under Dutch rule, and Malaysia, which was under British rule, different loanwords were introduced respectively.

As a result, differences emerged in the words used to refer to the exact same things.

Furthermore, the fact that Indonesia and Malaysia developed Indonesian and Malaysian as unique languages after gaining independence following World War II is also related to the differences in vocabulary.

Differences Between Indonesian and Malaysian Seen in Everyday Terms

So, specifically, what kind of vocabulary differences are there?

For example, when you go shopping, you need a bag or sack to put your items in.

This bag is called:

• "tas" in Indonesian, derived from Dutch
• "beg" in Malaysian, derived from English

Also, the towel used after a bath is called:

• "handuk" in Indonesian, derived from Dutch
• "tuala" in Malaysian, derived from Portuguese

The bag example comes from the difference between Dutch and English, while the towel example comes from the difference between Dutch and Portuguese.

In addition, there are differences that emerged because Indonesian and Malaysian developed separately.

For instance, a mobile phone is called "ponsel" in Indonesian.

This is an abbreviation of "telepon seluler" (cellular telephone).

On the other hand, in Malaysian, it is called "telefon bimbit."

Bimbit is a Malay word meaning "to carry in one's hand," so it means "a phone that can be carried."

In this way, differences between Indonesian and Malaysian continue to be created even in modern times.

Can Indonesian and Malaysian Speakers Understand Each Other?

As shown, there are differences in vocabulary and expression between Indonesian and Malaysian.

However, mutual intelligibility is basically possible.

Linguistically, it is estimated that approximately 80% of the vocabulary is shared between the two languages.

Differences between Indonesian and Malaysian are particularly minimal in formal settings, such as news programs, official documents, and academic texts.

This is because both countries have a history of jointly promoting language standardization.

In the fields of business and academia, communication can often be achieved without being conscious of the differences between Indonesian and Malaysian.

Caution Required in Daily Conversation

However, in casual everyday conversation, there are often many differences between Indonesian and Malaysian.

When slang, youth speak, or regional dialects that have developed uniquely in each country are mixed in, communication can become difficult.

When watching TV shows or YouTube videos, these differences become quite apparent.

In basic business or travel scenarios, communication is possible despite the differences between Indonesian and Malaysian.

However, if you wish to build deeper relationships or discuss more specialized content, it is recommended to study the other's language thoroughly.

Which One is Ultimately Recommended to Study: Indonesian or Malaysian?

Based on the relationship explained so far, which one is recommended for learning: Indonesian or Malaysian?

What are the Benefits of Choosing Indonesian?

First, let's introduce the benefits of choosing Indonesian.

The greatest advantage of studying Indonesian is its overwhelmingly large number of speakers.

Being able to communicate with over 200 million people is a very significant attraction.

Indonesia is experiencing remarkable economic growth and is predicted to become one of the world's leading economic powers by the 2030s.

Business opportunities are abundant, and many Japanese companies are actively expanding there.

There are many attractive tourist destinations, including Bali and Jakarta.

The abundance of learning materials is also related to the benefits of choosing Indonesian.

Because there are many speakers, options for textbooks, online materials, and language schools are extensive.

If you want to connect with more people, choosing Indonesian is recommended.

What are the Benefits of Choosing Malaysian?

On the other hand, there are also many benefits to choosing Malaysian (Malay).

Malaysia is a country with a stable economy within Southeast Asia.

It is very attractive to learn a language that is usable in multiple countries, including Singapore and Brunei.

Since Malaysian is strongly influenced by English, it also features a lot of vocabulary that is easy for English speakers to become familiar with.

Furthermore, because Malaysia is a multi-ethnic nation where English and Chinese are also widely understood, it is an advantage for those with experience learning English or Chinese to find it familiar.

For those considering business or long-term stays in Malaysia, studying Malaysian is a recommended choice.

Learning One Language Makes It Easy to Acquire the Other

While there are differences between Indonesian and Malaysian, they are deeply related languages with common foundations.

If you master one, it is easy to learn the other.

Since the grammatical structure is the same, you just need to learn the differences in vocabulary and pronunciation.

For example, even if you move to Malaysia after learning Indonesian, you can sufficiently master Malaysian in a few months.

If you become able to distinguish between Indonesian and Malaysian while being conscious of their differences, you will be able to communicate across a wide area of Southeast Asia.

Recommended Learning Methods for Indonesian and Malaysian

How can I study Indonesian or Malaysian?

Next, we will introduce recommended learning methods for Indonesian and Malaysian (Malay)!

Listening, Speaking, and Shadowing are Recommended

For both languages, Indonesian and Malaysian, it is recommended to utilize audio for learning.

The differences between Indonesian and Malaysian cannot be understood without actually listening and trying to speak.

In particular, listening, speaking, and shadowing are very important for learning the differences in pronunciation.

By listening to native speakers' pronunciation and imitating it, you can learn living Indonesian and Malaysian (Malay).

Shadowing is Recommended for Learning Indonesian and Malaysian!

To acquire Indonesian or Malaysian, incorporating shadowing into your studies is recommended.

Shadowing is a learning method that combines listening and speaking.

The method of shadowing is simple.

1. Listen to the audio
2. Pronounce the same words with a slight delay

That is all it takes.

If it is too fast, start with slow audio and gradually increase the speed.

By incorporating shadowing into your learning, you will be able to speak Indonesian and Malaysian with natural pronunciation.

However, shadowing requires high-quality audio materials.

By creating native-speaker pronunciation materials with the latest AI service Ondoku, you can perform shadowing with materials perfectly suited for you, whether for travel or business.

Shadowing is also explained in this article. Please take a look.

【Complete Guide】How to do English Shadowing? Explaining How to Create Free Materials!

Efficiently improve your English skills with shadowing! A learning method that simultaneously enhances listening, pronunciation, and speaking, explained for beginners. Also introduces how to create materials using free AI voices.

Ondoku is Recommended for Learning Indonesian or Malaysian!

If you are learning Indonesian or Malaysian, Ondoku is recommended!

Ondoku is an AI reading service that can generate audio with native pronunciation.

You can freely create audio materials ideal for listening, speaking, and shadowing.

You can listen to Indonesian and Malay audio samples from Ondoku in this article, so please check it out.

For Learning and Confirming Pronunciation of Indonesian and Javanese! Audio Sample Listening & Free Text Reading: How to Use Ondoku

You can listen to (test) audio samples of Indonesian and Javanese available on Ondoku. Confirming pronunciation is essential for smooth communication with speakers of Indonesian and Javanese. In such cases, Ondoku is recommended! A text-to-speech service...

For Pronunciation Confirmation and Listening in Malaysia/Malay Studies! Native Pronunciation, Listening (Testing) to Two Types of Speakers: Female and Male Voices

Here, you can listen to (test) Malaysian/Malay audio from Ondoku. The audio features both female and male voices. Use them for narration, work training, presentations, learning, and more.

Furthermore, Ondoku is free!

Amazingly, you can read up to 5,000 characters for free, so you can easily create materials right now.

Why don't you also utilize Ondoku to learn Indonesian or Malaysian?

Why are Indonesian and Malaysian Similar? Explaining the Relationship Between the Two Languages

There are historical reasons why Indonesian and Malaysian are similar.

We will further explain the relationship between the two languages from a historical perspective.

Development from the Malay of the Malacca Sultanate

The relationship between Indonesian and Malaysian is rooted in the shared history of both languages.

From the 15th to the 16th century, the Malacca Sultanate flourished in the region encompassing present-day Indonesia and Malaysia.

During this era, Malay functioned as the common language (lingua franca) for the entire region.

In Malacca, where merchants from Arabia, Persia, India, and China gathered, Malay was indispensable for trade.

With the prosperity of the Malacca Sultanate, Classical Malay became refined and developed as a language of literature and administration.

The influence of Islamic culture was also significant, and many Arabic and Persian words were incorporated into Malay.

The Malay of this era serves as the common ancestor of modern Indonesian and Malaysian.

Differences Between the Two Languages are Related to Colonial Rule

The major turning point that created the differences between Indonesian and Malaysian is related to colonial rule by various European nations.

In the 16th century, Portugal conquered Malacca, and later the Netherlands came to rule Indonesia, while Britain ruled the Malay Peninsula.

Because the Netherlands ruled Indonesia for over 300 years, the Dutch language exerted a significant influence on the language.

On the other hand, in the Malay Peninsula under British rule, the language was strongly influenced by English.

This became a major factor in creating the current differences between Indonesian and Malaysian.

Unifying Language in Indonesia as Indonesian

In 1928, young Indonesians declared the "Youth Pledge" and decided to adopt Indonesian as the unified language.

In Indonesia, various languages such as Javanese were used in different regions, but by choosing Indonesian—based on Malay—rather than any other language as the unified tongue, they ensured that no specific ethnic group would hold linguistic or political dominance.

This led to the birth of Indonesia's unique national language, while still being based on Malay.

This historical decision also became a divergence point where Indonesian and Malaysian began walking separate paths.

Relationship Between Modern Indonesian and Malaysian

Furthermore, the fact that Indonesia and Malaysia developed them as unique national languages after independence is another reason for the differences between the two.

Indonesia is flexible regarding language and maintains an attitude of actively accepting new words.

There is a tendency to rapidly incorporate loanwords from foreign languages as needed.

Meanwhile, Malaysia took a different approach.

Malaysia is also a multi-ethnic nation where Malay, Chinese, Indian, and other diverse ethnic groups coexist.

However, in language policy, Malaysia tended to try to maintain the purity of traditional Malay.

In Malaysia, instead of using loanwords as they are, there is an effort to create new words in Malay as much as possible.

The difference between Indonesian and Malaysian is also related to these different philosophies regarding language.

In this way, differences between Indonesian and Malaysian have emerged not only in the past but continue to be created today.

Learning Indonesian or Malaysian also means understanding the culture, values, and history of each country.

Whichever you choose, Indonesian or Malaysian, you will be able to touch upon the rich historical story behind it.

Knowing the Differences and Relationship is Recommended for Learning Indonesian and Malaysian

In this article, we explained the differences and relationship between Indonesian and Malaysian.

While Indonesian and Malaysian share common roots, they are languages that have independently developed their own pronunciation, vocabulary, and expressions.

Differences requiring caution exist even at the daily conversation level.

Whether to learn Indonesian or Malaysian depends on your purpose.

Whichever you choose, it will be widely useful for travel and business in Southeast Asia.

If you are studying Indonesian or Malaysian, utilizing the latest AI service Ondoku is recommended.

Why don't you try learning Indonesian or Malaysian by utilizing Ondoku's free reading service?