aku suka akan engkau
The English phrase 'I like you' is translated into Malay as aku suka akan engkau.
In Malay, suka can mean both 'to like' (an emotion/preference) and 'to enjoy' (an action), so context is important to distinguish between liking a person and enjoying an activity.
Meaning: I like you (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase aku suka akan engkau, the word akan functions as a prepositional particle here to link the verb suka (to like) to the object engkau (you).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using saya for 'I' and awak for 'you' makes the expression of liking much more polite and standard for social interactions, as in saya suka akan awak. Saya suka kamu. is the Standard Malay form of 'I like you.' For informal settings, you can say Aku suka padamu, or use the more affectionate and informal Aku sayang kau.
Did you know?
- In modern urban Malaysia, using aku and engkau to say 'I like you' can sound like a character in an epic poem or a royal decree rather than a romantic confession.
- The pronoun engkau includes the prefix eng- for a purely phonetic reason: to prevent the word from being a single syllable.
- While suka expresses a general liking, the word sayang is used for a deeper affection that can be applied to romantic partners, children, or even beloved pets.
Examples in context
- Saya menyukai kepakaran dan dedikasi anda dalam pekerjaan.I like your expertise and dedication in your work.
Example conversation
Amir and Siti are talking privately in a park.
- AmirSiti, aku suka akan engkau.Siti, I like you.
- SitiBetulkah? Aku pun suka kamu.Really? I like you too.
- AmirSudah lama aku simpan perasaan ini.I have kept this feeling for a long time.
- SitiTerima kasih kerana memberitahuku, Amir.Thank you for telling me, Amir.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I like you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries akan, aku, engkau, suka, CC BY-SA 4.0.
