bodoh
/bodoh/
The English word "stupid" is translated into Malay as bodoh. Wiktionary also lists ahmak and baghal.
Meaning: lacking in intelligence (adj)
Ways to say it
| Malay | IPA |
|---|---|
| bodoh | /bodoh/ |
| ahmak | /ahˈmaʔ/ |
| baghal | /ˈbaɣal/ /ˈbaɡal/ (colloquial) |
| bahlul | /ˈbahlul/ /ˈbahlol/ |
| bangang | /bä.ŋäŋ/ |
| bebal | /bəbal/ |
| benak | /bəˈnak/ |
| bengap | /bəŋap/ |
| bingung | /ˈbeŋoŋ/ /ˈbiŋuŋ/ |
| bongak | /boŋaʔ/ |
| bongok | /ˈboŋok/ |
| congong | /ˈt͡ʃoŋoŋ/ |
| dogol | /ˈdoɡol/ |
| dongok | /ˈdoŋok/ |
| dungu | /ˈduŋu/ |
| goblok | |
| hamik | |
| palui | |
| pandik | |
| pongah | |
| pusung | |
| sementung | |
| songor | |
| tolol | /ˈtolol/ |
| tongong | /toŋoŋ/ |
In Malay, 'bodoh' can be used to describe both a person and an action or object, such as a 'stupid question'.
Which one should you use?
While bodoh means lacking intelligence, bingung means being confused or bewildered. 'Bangang' is more aggressive and insulting than 'bodoh'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Kurang bijak translates to "less wise" and is a formal way to express that someone lacks intelligence. Tidak cerdas means "not smart" or "not clever" and is a formal way to describe a lack of intelligence. Bangang is an informal word meaning "dumb" or "stupid".
How do you pronounce it?
/bodoh/
Did you know?
- The Malay word baghal shares a root with the Tagalog word bagal, which means 'slow'.
- In certain Malay dialects, particularly in parts of Sumatra, you might hear palui used to mean a fool, a word that would be unrecognizable to a speaker in Kuala Lumpur.
- Calling someone pongah is a specific type of insult that targets their arrogance rather than just their intelligence, meaning they are boastful and conceited.
Examples in context
- Dahulu Tom seorang yang bodoh, namum kini tidak lagi.Tom isn't as stupid as he used to be.This sentence shows how to describe a person's past state using bodoh.Tatoeba #9700666 by imperiex, translation #6435944 by CK
- Itu soalan yang bodoh.That's a stupid question!This sentence demonstrates using bodoh to describe an object or concept.Tatoeba #10502752 by LeeSooHa, translation #1808128 by Spamster
- Orang bangangStupid personThis example shows the use of bangang to describe a person.
- Dia sangat bodoh kerana tidak mengambil nasihat daripada orang yang lebih bijak.He is very stupid for not taking advice from wiser people.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Farah and Muhammad are discussing a mistake made in a project.
- FarahKenapa awak buat keputusan bodoh itu?Why did you make that stupid decision?
- MuhammadSaya tidak sengaja, Farah.I didn't do it on purpose, Farah.
- FarahKita perlu lebih berhati-hati selepas ini.We need to be more careful after this.
- MuhammadYa, saya tahu saya sudah cuai.Yes, I know I was careless.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stupid” translations and entries bodoh, ahmak, baghal, bahlul, bangang, bebal, benak, bengap, bingung, bongak, bongok, congong, dogol, dongok, dungu, sementung, tolol, tongong, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ahmak, baghal, bahlul, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
