Sunday 26 June 2011

Persian Words in Classical Malay

Assalaamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!


Pic: Mimbar Kata


As far as I know from our Malay language lessons during A-Level, the language had absorbed around 300 plus words from Parsi. These are few of the loanwords in Malay from Parsi... 

Agar-agar اگراگر Jelly
Ustad استاد Teacher
Baju باجو Shirt
Bius بيوس Morphined
Bandar بندر City
Bau باو Smell
Piala پياله Trophy, Cup
Tembakau تمباکاو Tobacco

Taman تامن Garden
Dewan ديوان Hall
Domba دومبا Sheep
Serunai سرونای Flute
Sarban سربن Turban
Sudah سوده Already
Sodagar سوداگر Merchant
Shah bandar شاه بندر Town Supervisor

Istana إستانه Palace
Anggur انگور Grape, Vine
Kecil کچيل Small
Goni گوني Sack
Firman فرمان To say
Kinari کناري Canary
Kismis کسميس Raisin
Kurma کرمه Dates

Langgar لنگر Kitchen
Jam جم Clock
Pahlavan پلاوان Warrior
Bedebah بردبه Wicked Person
Takhta تخت Throne
Haram Zadeh حرم ژده Bastard
Tamasya تماشه Celebration
Kawin کهوين Marriage
Medan میدان Court 

Pelita پلیته Lamp
Babu بابو Sir
Daftar دفتر Register
Panjara پنجره Jail
Cara چاره Way
Arah آره Direction
Lengan لنگن Wrist
Kuno کونا Ancient


I am not sure about the spelling in Arabic script or its sound. But these are recorded loan-words from Classical Malay. Some of them, we still use in our daily speech like haram zadeh, haha. Few others, I do not include them because they sound like Sanskrit and to avoid confusion. I am more familiar with Sanskrit compared to Persian. Some of the words might also have Middle Persian origin.  

Sealed with prayers for peace, mercy, and love for brethren in faith, amin!

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