kakak
/kakaʔ/
The English word sister is translated into Malay as kakak or adik perempuan.
Meaning: woman or girl having the same parents (noun)
Ways to say it
| Malay | IPA |
|---|---|
| kakak | /kakaʔ/ |
| adik perempuan | /ˌadek pərəmˈpuan/ /ˌadik pərəmˈpuan/ |
In Malay, the term you use for sister depends on whether she is older or younger than you. Use kakak to refer to an older sister. While adik perempuan is the specific term for a younger sister, in casual conversation, speakers often use the shorter term adik to refer to a younger sister.
What does it mean word for word?
The term adik perempuan is composed of adik, meaning younger sibling and perempuan, meaning female or woman.
Which one should you use?
Use adik perempuan to refer specifically to a younger sister.
How do you pronounce it?
/kakaʔ/
Did you know?
- The word perempuan comes from the root word empu, which historically referred to a master or a person of high status or skill.
- In many Malay-speaking social contexts, you might call a stranger kakak even if you are not related to her.
- In traditional Malay etiquette, using the correct term for an older sister is a vital part of adab or social propriety, and failing to do so can be seen as disrespectful.
Examples in context
- Saya cuba memikat kakaknya, namun dia tidak terpikat…I tried to woo his sister, but she didn't want me.This sentence shows the use of kakak in a social context.Tatoeba #9709159 by imperiex, translation #5263692 by mailohilohi
- Kakak saya paling suka kalau ada sesiapa yang mahu meminangnya.My sister loves it whenever someone makes her an offer of marriage.This sentence demonstrates how kakak is used when discussing marriage proposals.Tatoeba #5900295 by Adou_Fr, translation #7594611 by feudalism
- Dia bukan kakaknya, tetapi ibunya.She's not his sister, but his mother.This sentence uses kakak to clarify a family relationship.Tatoeba #1891654 by Skaty, translation #316396 by CK
- Kakak, bolehkah saya bertanya sesuatu?Sister, may I ask you something?
- Kak ngah, adik ada sedikit masalah.Elder sister, I have a little problem.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aishah introduces her older sister to Muhammad.
- AishahKenalkan, ini kakak saya.Meet my older sister.
- MuhammadSelamat berkenalan. Siapa nama kakak awak?Nice to meet you. What is your sister's name?
- AishahNama kakak saya ialah Sarah.My sister's name is Sarah.
- MuhammadSarah nampak sangat baik.Sarah looks very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sister” translations and entries kakak, adik perempuan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adik, adik perempuan, kakak, perempuan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
