membunuh
/məmˈbunuh/
The Malay verb for 'slay' is membunuh.
membunuh is the general term used to mean to kill or murder. Unlike the English word 'slay', which often carries a poetic or dramatic connotation, membunuh is a neutral term used for both mundane and dramatic contexts.
Meaning: to kill, murder (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form for a person who performs the act of killing is pembunuh, while the noun referring to the act itself or the event of a murder is pembunuhan. Additionally, the passive form dibunuh (killed or was killed) is frequently used in news reports to state that someone was killed.
How do you pronounce it?
/məmˈbunuh/
Did you know?
- While 'slay' in English can be used as high praise for someone's fashion, using a derivative of membunuh to compliment someone in Malay would be perceived as a literal death threat.
- Malay distinguishes between membunuh (killing a living being) and mematikan (turning off a machine or 'killing' a light).
- While membunuh is the general word for killing, the term mampus is a very crude or vulgar way to say 'die' or 'be killed' often used as an insult.
Examples in context
- Wow, kau memang gempak!Wow, you're awesome!
- Hebatnya kau!You're amazing!
- Kau punya style memang on point!Your style is on point!
- Pembunuh itu telah membunuh mangsanya.The killer has killed his victim.
- Dia tidak membunuh binatang itu.He did not kill that animal.
- Saksi itu berkata dia membunuh lelaki itu.The witness said he killed that man.
Example conversation
Farah and Ahmad are discussing a true crime news report.
- FarahAdakah dia membunuh mangsanya?Did he kill his victim?
- AhmadYa, dia membunuh lelaki itu.Yes, he killed the man.
- FarahSangat kejam sekali.That is very cruel.
- AhmadBenar, kes ini sangat ngeri.True, this case is very horrific.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry membunuh, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
