perempuan
/pərəmˈpuan/
The English phrase girl is translated into Malay as perempuan.
perempuan is used to refer to a young female person.
Meaning: young female person (noun)
Which one should you use?
While perempuan refers to a female, the phrase budak perempuan is used more specifically to refer to a young girl, such as a child or adolescent. Additionally, while perempuan can mean both girl and woman, wanita is a more formal term used specifically for an adult woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form of perempuan, you repeat the word to create perempuan-perempuan.
How do you pronounce it?
/pərəmˈpuan/
Did you know?
- While budak means 'child' in the phrase budak perempuan, in archaic Malay, budak actually referred to a servant or slave.
- The root of perempuan is the word empu, which historically refers to a master, a creator, or someone with great skill in a craft.
- The word wanita is a loanword from Sanskrit, whereas perempuan is an indigenous Austronesian construction.
Examples in context
- Saya pernah berpacaran dengan perempuan seperti Mary.I once dated a girl just like Mary.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use perempuan when describing someone you once dated.Tatoeba #10732618 by imperiex, translation #3439510 by CK
- Dia perempuan yang berbakat.She is a talented girl.
- Saya ingin berjumpa dengan seorang perempuan Melayu yang pintar.I want to meet an intelligent Malay girl.
- Nama budak perempuan tu Sarah.The girl's name is Sarah.
- Aku dengan budak perempuan tu sudah rapat.I am close with that girl.
- Dia seorang perempuan yang sangat rajin.She is a very hardworking girl.
- Ramai perempuan sedang bermain di taman.Many girls are playing in the park.
Example conversation
Nur and Hafiz are talking about a new student at school.
- NurSiapa perempuan baru di kelas kita?Who is the new girl in our class?
- HafizNama dia Sarah, dari Kuala Lumpur.Her name is Sarah, from Kuala Lumpur.
- NurAdakah dia seorang yang peramah?Is she a friendly person?
- HafizYa, dia sangat baik.Yes, she is very kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry perempuan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries perempuan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
