The Malaysia ‘Lah’

Lately, all these memories of Malaysia are coming to me. It’s such a beautiful place, with beautiful people and culture. I have so many fond memories there and a big part of me simply wants to find a way to return. In Malaysia, the people use the word ‘lah’ frequently in conversation. ‘Lah’ is a suffix that adds emphasis to what one is saying. The suffix is used when speaking Malay and English and is used millions of times a day throughout the country, sometimes for emphasis and sometimes for no reason at all.

What Wikipedia has to say on that ‘Lah’ word:

“The “Lah” word

The ubiquitous word lah ([lɑ́] or [lɑ̂]), used at the end of a sentence, can also be described as a particle that simultaneously asserts a position and entices solidarity.

Note that ‘lah’ is often written after a comma for clarity, but there is never a pause before it. This is because in the original Malay, ‘lah’ is appended to the end of the word and is not a separate word by itself.

In Malay, ‘lah’ is used to change a verb into a command or to soften its tone, particularly when usage of the verb may seem impolite. For example, “to drink” is “minum”, but “Here, drink!” is “minumlah”. Similarly, ‘lah’ is frequently used with imperatives in Singlish, such as the command, “Drink, lah!” (Come on, drink!). ‘Lah’ also occurs frequently with “Yah” and “No” (hence “Yah lah” and “No lah”), resulting in a less brusque sound, thus facilitating the flow of conversation.

Lah is often used with brusque, short, negative responses:

• Don’t have, lah! (Brusque response to, “Lend me some money, can?”)
• Don’t know already, lah!(Brusque response to someone fumbling with an explanation. Mostly by Chinese.)

Lah is also used for reassurance:

• Don’t worry, he can do it one lah – Don’t worry, he can get it done.
• It’s okay lah – It’s all right.

Lah can also be used to emphasize items in a spoken list, appearing after each item in the list.

• They got sell Nasi Lemak lah, Roti Canai lah, Chapatti lah; Everything got lah!”

Roti Canai is delicious and famous in Malaysia. There is a place in Philadelphia where you can try it and other Malaysian food lah..

PENANG :117 N 10th St
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
(215) 413-2531