The economy is a crucial aspect of any society, influencing the livelihoods, opportunities, and well-being of its people. For anyone interested in understanding the economic landscape of Malaysia or conducting business there, having a grasp of economic terminology in Malay can be incredibly beneficial. This article aims to introduce and explain some of the key economic terms in Malay, providing English speakers with a solid foundation to discuss economic matters in Malaysia.
Basic Economic Terms
Understanding the basic economic terms is the first step toward building a more comprehensive vocabulary. Here are some fundamental terms that you should know:
Ekonomi – Economy
The term “ekonomi” is directly borrowed from English and refers to the system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services in a particular country or region.
Perniagaan – Business
“Perniagaan” is the Malay word for business, encompassing all activities involved in the production, buying, and selling of goods and services.
Pasaran – Market
“Pasaran” refers to the market, where buyers and sellers interact to exchange goods and services.
Permintaan – Demand
“Permintaan” is the term for demand, indicating the quantity of a good or service that consumers are willing and able to purchase at various prices.
Penawaran – Supply
“Penawaran” stands for supply, representing the total amount of a specific good or service available to consumers.
Harga – Price
The term “harga” means price, which is the amount of money required to purchase a good or service.
Financial Terms
Financial terms are essential for discussing the economic health of a country, investments, and personal finance. Here are some critical financial terms in Malay:
Bank – Bank
Similar to English, “bank” refers to financial institutions that accept deposits, offer loans, and provide other financial services.
Pelaburan – Investment
“Pelaburan” means investment, referring to the allocation of money with the expectation of generating a future return or profit.
Keuntungan – Profit
“Keuntungan” is the term for profit, indicating the financial gain obtained from business activities after subtracting expenses.
Kerugian – Loss
“Kerugian” stands for loss, representing the amount of money lost when expenses exceed revenue.
Kadar Faedah – Interest Rate
“Kadar faedah” refers to the interest rate, which is the percentage charged on borrowed money or paid on invested funds.
Pinjaman – Loan
“Pinjaman” is the term for loan, indicating money borrowed that must be repaid, usually with interest.
Banking Terms
Understanding banking terminology is crucial for managing finances and conducting transactions. Here are some banking terms in Malay:
Akaun Bank – Bank Account
“Akaun bank” refers to a bank account where individuals or businesses can deposit and withdraw money.
Deposit – Deposit
“Deposit” means depositing money into a bank account for safekeeping or to earn interest.
Pengeluaran – Withdrawal
“Pengeluaran” stands for withdrawal, indicating the act of taking money out of a bank account.
Kad Debit – Debit Card
“Kad debit” refers to a debit card, which allows the holder to access funds in their bank account electronically.
Kad Kredit – Credit Card
“Kad kredit” is the term for a credit card, enabling the holder to borrow funds up to a certain limit to make purchases or withdraw cash.
Macroeconomic Terms
Macroeconomic terms help in understanding the broader economic environment and policies affecting a country. Here are some key macroeconomic terms in Malay:
Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) – Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
“Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar” or KDNK refers to the total value of all goods and services produced within a country over a specific period.
Inflasi – Inflation
“Inflasi” means inflation, which is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power.
Deflasi – Deflation
“Deflasi” stands for deflation, indicating a decrease in the general price level of goods and services, often leading to reduced consumer spending.
Kadar Pengangguran – Unemployment Rate
“Kadar pengangguran” refers to the unemployment rate, which is the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment.
Defisit – Deficit
“Defisit” means deficit, representing the amount by which government spending exceeds revenue.
Lebihan – Surplus
“Lebihan” stands for surplus, indicating the amount by which revenue exceeds government spending.
Trade and Commerce Terms
Trade and commerce are vital components of any economy. Here are some trade-related terms in Malay:
Eksport – Export
“Eskport” refers to goods and services sold to other countries.
Import – Import
“Import” stands for goods and services purchased from other countries.
Perdagangan – Trade
“Perdagangan” means trade, encompassing the exchange of goods and services between countries or regions.
Tarif – Tariff
“Tarif” refers to a tax imposed on imported goods, often used to protect domestic industries.
Kuota – Quota
“Kuota” stands for a limit on the quantity of a specific good that can be imported or exported during a given period.
Perjanjian Perdagangan – Trade Agreement
“Perjanjian perdagangan” refers to a trade agreement between two or more countries to facilitate trade by reducing tariffs and other barriers.
Business and Corporate Terms
Understanding business and corporate terminology is essential for those involved in the corporate world. Here are some key terms in Malay:
Syarikat – Company
“Syarikat” means company, referring to a business organization engaged in commercial activities.
Perbadanan – Corporation
“Perbadanan” stands for a corporation, a legal entity that is separate from its owners and can own assets, incur liabilities, and conduct business.
Pengarah – Director
“Pengarah” refers to a director, a person appointed to oversee the activities of a company.
Pemegang Saham – Shareholder
“Pemegang saham” means shareholder, an individual or entity that owns shares in a company.
Keusahawanan – Entrepreneurship
“Keusahawanan” stands for entrepreneurship, the act of starting and running a business, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.
Modal – Capital
“Modal” refers to capital, the financial resources needed to start and operate a business.
Employment and Labor Terms
Employment and labor terms are crucial for understanding the job market and workforce dynamics. Here are some key terms in Malay:
Pekerjaan – Employment
“Pekerjaan” means employment, referring to the condition of having paid work.
Pekerja – Worker
“Pekerja” stands for a worker, an individual employed to perform tasks in exchange for wages or salary.
Gaji – Salary
“Gaji” refers to a salary, a fixed regular payment made by an employer to an employee.
Upah – Wage
“Upah” means wage, the payment made to a worker for their labor, usually calculated on an hourly, daily, or piecework basis.
Kontrak – Contract
“Kontrak” stands for a contract, a legally binding agreement between two or more parties outlining the terms of employment or business arrangements.
Kesatuan Sekerja – Labor Union
“Kesatuan sekerja” refers to a labor union, an organization formed by workers to protect their rights and interests.
Government and Policy Terms
Government policies play a significant role in shaping the economy. Here are some government and policy-related terms in Malay:
Kerajaan – Government
“Kerajaan” means government, the governing body of a nation, state, or community.
Dasar Ekonomi – Economic Policy
“Dasar ekonomi” refers to the economic policy, a course of action taken by the government to influence economic activities.
Percukaian – Taxation
“Percukaian” stands for taxation, the system by which a government collects money from its citizens to fund public services and infrastructure.
Subsidi – Subsidy
“Subsidi” refers to a subsidy, financial assistance provided by the government to support or promote economic activities.
Bajet – Budget
“Bajet” means budget, a financial plan outlining the government’s projected revenue and expenditure for a specific period.
Rizab – Reserve
“Rizab” stands for reserve, funds set aside by the government or a financial institution to meet future obligations or emergencies.
Conclusion
Having a solid understanding of economic terminology in Malay can greatly enhance your ability to discuss and engage with economic matters in Malaysia. Whether you are a business professional, a student, or simply someone interested in the Malaysian economy, these terms will provide a valuable foundation. As you continue to expand your vocabulary and deepen your understanding of the language, you’ll find it easier to navigate the complex world of economics in a Malay-speaking context.
