How to Say Merry Christmas in Malay

Asia

Nov 3

Written by Kelsey Cecil

Merry Christmas in Malay

Selamat Hari Krismas

Say it like this: seh-LAH-maht HAH-ree KRIS-mahs

Big letters show the part to say louder.

Quick answer

In Malay, Merry Christmas is Selamat Hari Krismas, said like seh-LAH-maht HAH-ree KRIS-mahs.
Happy New Year is Selamat Tahun Baru.
People say it in Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore.

What Selamat Hari Krismas means

'Selamat' is a word of good wishes, 'hari' means day, and 'Krismas' is Christmas, borrowed from English.

Other ways to say it in Malay

Selamat Hari Natal

Say it like this: seh-LAH-maht HAH-ree NAH-tahl

Another accepted wording, also heard in official greetings in Malaysia.

Happy New Year

Selamat Tahun Baru

Say it like this: seh-LAH-maht TAH-hoon BAH-roo

Happy New Year: 'tahun baru' means new year.

To write in a Christmas card

Selamat Hari Krismas dan Selamat Tahun Baru

Say it like this: seh-LAH-maht HAH-ree KRIS-mahs dahn seh-LAH-maht TAH-hoon BAH-roo

Where people speak Malay

MalaysiaBruneiSingapore

Malay (Bahasa Melayu) belongs to the Austronesian language family.

Hear it from Rally on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, Rally the corgi rides the Christmas Train around the world. He reaches Kuala Lumpur at about 12:43 AM local time, and kids learn to say Selamat Hari Krismas as he lands.

Watch Rally arrive in Kuala Lumpur →

Christmas traditions where people speak Malay

Mall decorations: Shopping malls compete to have the most impressive Christmas displays, with lights, Santas, reindeer, fake snow and very tall trees. Some add ice rinks or carol singers.^[1]
Christmas Eve parties: Christmas Eve is a big night for dining out and parties in many Malaysian towns and cities, and Christians attend Midnight Mass or a service on Christmas morning.^[1]
A public holiday and shared meals: December 25 is a national public holiday in Malaysia. Families and friends share large meals, and many restaurants offer special Christmas menus.^[1]

🎄 Quick game: Merry Christmas in Malay

Three quick questions for kids. Tap an answer to play.

Say Merry Christmas in more languages

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Questions parents ask

How do you say Merry Christmas in Malay?

In Malay you say 'Selamat Hari Krismas', and 'Selamat Hari Natal' is also used. Both are polite, friendly wishes. Malaysia has many Christians, about one in ten people, and neighbors of other faiths often use the greeting too as a kind way to share in the happiness of friends.^[1]

How do you pronounce Selamat Hari Krismas?

Say 'seh-LAH-maht HAH-ree KRIS-mahs'. Malay vowels are clear and steady, and the stress is light. The 'r' in 'hari' is gently tapped. 'Krismas' sounds almost like English 'Christmas' without the first 't'. A smile and an even rhythm matter more than perfect sounds.^[3]

What does Selamat Hari Krismas mean?

'Selamat' is a flexible word of good wishes, 'hari' means day, and 'Krismas' is the English word Christmas written in Malay spelling. Put together, it wishes someone a happy Christmas Day. The same 'selamat' appears in 'Selamat pagi', meaning good morning.^[1]

How do you write and spell it?

Malay uses the Latin alphabet, called Rumi, and is spelled as it sounds: Selamat Hari Krismas. Capitalize each main word on a card. There are no accent marks. 'Natal' is the alternative spelling for Christmas, from the Latin word for birth.^[1]

How do you say Happy New Year in Malay?

Say 'Selamat Tahun Baru', pronounced 'seh-LAH-maht TAH-hoon BAH-roo'. 'Tahun Baru' means new year. Malaysians often celebrate New Year's Eve with fireworks in town centers. On cards you can combine both wishes: 'Selamat Hari Krismas dan Selamat Tahun Baru'.^[3]

Is there a formal and a casual way to say it?

'Selamat Hari Krismas' and 'Selamat Hari Natal' are both polite enough for teachers, elders, colleagues and official messages. Friends may simply text 'Merry Christmas' in English, which is very common in Malaysia. Either way, a smile and a kind tone are what count.^[1]

When do people say it in Malaysia?

People say it on and around December 25, which is a national public holiday in Malaysia. Malls are decorated from early in the season, so greetings begin well before the day. Christmas is mainly a religious festival for Christians but it is also enjoyed as a fun, social time by many others.^[1]

Is the main celebration Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Both are special. Christmas Eve is a big night for dining out and parties, and Christians attend Midnight Mass or a service on Christmas morning. Christmas Day, December 25, is the national holiday, when families visit each other and share a meal. Malaysians of many backgrounds join in the festive mood.^[1]

What do people eat at Christmas in Malaysia?

Roast or fried chicken is a popular Christmas dish, although people eat whatever they like and many restaurants offer special Christmas menus. Families and friends usually share a large meal, and Christmas Day is a public holiday, so many people have time to visit relatives, go to the mall or join open house gatherings.^[1][2]

How can I teach Selamat Hari Krismas to kids?

Break it into beats: se-LA-mat, HA-ri, KRIS-mas. Children already know 'Krismas', so they only need to learn the first two words. Practice by greeting stuffed animals, then tell them 'Selamat Tahun Baru' for New Year. Compare 'hari' with the English word 'day' to explain what the middle word does.^[3]

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.

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