Say Happy Birthday to a Malaysian:
Say Happy Birthday to a Malaysian: Best Wishes, Quotes and Messages

What Languages Are Spoken in Malaysia?

The national language of Malaysia is Malay, apart from being one of the two official languages. Also called Malaysian Malay or Malay, it is spoken by over 80% of the population. The second official language of Malaysia is English, which is also one of the most commonly spoken languages.

The three main Malaysian languages are Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. The diverse Malaysian country is home to a diverse 137 living languages!

Officially known as Bahasa Malaysia, Malay is the official language of Malaysia and is spoken by over eighty percent of its population. There are a variety of ten different dialects of this language spoken throughout the country.

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Wishing your loved Malaysian a happy birthday, why not also using local language. However, Saying ‘Happy Birthday’ in Malaysian can be tough if you don’t know the right words.

Firstly, to hear the pronunciation of 'happy birthday in Malaysian', check out the video below:

Some Simple Ways to Say Happy Birthday to a Malaysian

There are several ways for you to choose to wish a person a “Happy Birthday” in Malaysian or Malay.

Selamat Hari Jadi

This is the most typical way of wishing happy birthday to a Malaysian:

Selamat Hari Jadi = sɜlɑmʌt ˈhari ʤɑdi

In the Malay language, Selamat Hari Jadi is the phrase to use when you want to wish someone for his birthday.

If you’re wondering when can you use these words, feel free to use them with everyone — your family, friends, superiors, the elderly, and even strangers!

In Malay, selamat means safe while jadi means being or become. When you put them together into a phrase, selamat means happy and jadi refers to one’s being or birth, which corresponds to its English translation. These words are the classic method of saying happy birthday to a friend.

Selamat Hari Lahir

This is another mainstream manner of saying happy birthday to someone in Malay.

Selamat Hari Lahir = sɜlɑmʌt ˈhari laher

The literal translation of this particular phrase identical to Selamat Hari Jadi — the evident difference you’ll see is the word ‘lahir’, which essentially means birth. In the Malay language, lahir is a verb that means give birth. When put together, it simply means happy birthday. Selamat Hari Lahir is also used interchangeably with Selamat Hari Jadi — both carry the same meaning and you can use these words in every formal and informal context.

Selamat Hari Ulang Tahun

In Malaysia, say — Selamat Hari Ulang Tahun is often said by the earlier generation. Ulang and tahun are translated as repeat and year in English and it figuratively means happy birthday when attached together. In English, this accurate translation of this phrase is “Happy Anniversary” as the word Ulang Tahun connotes the meaning of anniversary.

Say happy birthday in Malaysian: Quick Guides

English Malaysian
Happy birthday Selamat hari jadi
Happy birthday Selamat hari lahir
Happy birthday Selamat hari ulang tahun kelahiran

Main Words In Malay for Birthday

These words should come in handy if you’re celebrating a birthday!

English Malay
Birthday Hari jadi
Party Pesta
Cake Kek
Candles Lilin
Present/gift Hadiah
Wishes Hajat
Surprise Kejutan

Best Wishes and Great Message in Malay for Birthday

*Selamat Hari Lahir Adam! Semoga panjang umur dan murah rezeki (Happy Birthday Adam! Wishing you great health and wealth)

*Selamat Hari Ulang Tahun Nenek, semoga panjang umur dan murah rezeki! (Happy Birthday Grandma, wishing you great health and wealth!)

*Sambutan hari jadi:

The English version of this particular phrase is birthday celebration (the word sambutan means celebration). When a Malaysian is having a big party, this particular phrase is usually written on the banner, along with his name.

Ucapan hari jadi: This phrase simply means birthday speech (the word ucapan means speech in English). It’s normally written on birthday cards or spoken to call a person out to deliver a speech.

Birthdays Celebration in Malaysia

In Malaysia all birthday celebrations family members and friends gather together to enjoy food. They may sing along together or play musical instruments. Friends or relatives who visit give presents to the person celebrating their birthday or they may give an ang-bao. This is a small red packet filled with money. If relatives do not know what to buy, the money is a good present.

At about 16 when teenagers start to invite boys and girls to their parties there is lots of dancing and games to help find a partner. They often make up their own games so that everyone eventually finds their own partner. The trick is always to have the same numbers of boys and girls! At 18 birthdays are celebrated with family members or people may go to the movies with their boy/girlfriend. At 21 people usually have a big party.

At all birthday celebrations people have birthday cake with candles and they sing the Happy Birthday song in English, Chinese or Malay.

Happy Birthday: Best Wishes, Quotes, Messages for Malaysian

Happy birthday to a person that’s charming, talented, and witty, and reminds me a lot of myself.

May your day be as beautiful as you. Happy birthday, friend!

You have the biggest heart in the world! Thank you for keeping me in it. Happy birthday

The best way to remember your wife’s birthday is to forget it once.

Someone I love was born today.

The older I get, the more I realize that I am still a little younger than you! Happy birthday.

A birthday means that you are a year older, but a birthday party means you get to act 10 years younger. Enjoy the party!

Another year of you is reason enough for us all to celebrate with cake!

Old enough to know better; but young enough to get away with it.

Hope your birthday is just the beginning of a year full of happiness!

The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.

God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.

When you wake up every day, it’s like a new birthday: it’s a new chance to be great again and make great decisions.

You take away all the other luxuries in life, and if you can make someone smile and laugh, you have given the most special gift: happiness.

Cheers! Champagne is good, gifts are amazing, friends are plenty and you are the best of them all. Can we do this party every day?

Roses are red, violets are blue, on your birthday may all your most beautiful dreams and ambitions come true!

Another year went by and you are just as charming, a bit wiser and a lot more gorgeous. Happy birthday!

In this day, don’t forget you never gave up, remember how you faced every battle, and know-how proud I am to be your friend. Happy birthday!

I just want to tell you today that since you were born your smile makes the world a better place. Happy birthday!

There ought to be a time that we can set aside just for you. That time is today! Happy birthday!

Happy birthday! Your life is just about to pick up speed and blast off into space. Wear a helmet, your beautiful smile and enjoy the journey. Happy birthday!

You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime.

If things get better with age then you’re approaching magnificent.

When I have a birthday I take the day off. But when my wife has a birthday, she takes a year or two off.

Thirty-five is a very attractive age. London society is full of women of the very highest birth who have, of their own free choice, remained thirty-five for years

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