Important things to know

*pls click on the Getting To Know Sabah tab above to get to the intro page.

When first visiting any country or state or place for that matter, there are a few basic things to keep in mind. Learn the language (enough to get you by), find out what makes the folks smile and what makes them upset, what food they eat and what else is available for the international crowd and the cool places to visit. I might’ve missed a lot of other stuff but this is a start. And I do intend to add on to this site as I go along.

WORDS TO KNOW

It’s important for first time visitors of Malaysia and/or Sabah, to know that Malaysians and/or Sabahans DO speak English. But for your own convenience it would be handy to keep a few vital Malay words in mind. The national language of Malaysia is after all Malay BUT it would be GREAT too if you knew some Kadazandusun words.

*A more complete section will be made available for further reading on the largest ethnic people of Sabah, the Kadazandusuns (pron. Kaa-daa-zaan-doo-soons)

Let’s first start off with the Malay words:-

YES – Ya

NO – Tidak (pron.Tee-dak)(formal) Tak (informal) (pron.Taak) *Both words end with a soft K

HOW ARE YOU? or HI – Apa Khabar? (pron. Aa-paa Kaa-barr)(the “h” is silent)

THANK YOU – Terima Kasih ( pron. Tuh-rim-Aa Kaa-see)

SEE YOU AGAIN – Jumpa Lagi ( pron. Joo-mpaa Laa-gee. The g is pronounced like the g in girl)

YOU’RE WELCOME (IN RESPONSE TO THANK YOU) – Sama-Sama (pron. Saamaa-saamaa)

WELCOME (TO WELCOME AN ARRIVAL) – Selamat Datang (pron. Suh-laa-mutt Daa-tongue. Yes, as in the tongue in your mouth 😉

EAT – Makan (pron. Maa-Kaan)

DRINK – Minum (pron.Mee-Noom)

CAN YOU PLEASE HELP? – Boleh tolong? (pron. Ball-eh toh-long)

PLEASE – Tolong

AIRPORT – Lapangan Terbang (pron.Laa-paa-ngun Tuh-rr-bung)

CITY CENTRE – Pusat Bandaraya (pron.Poo-saaht Bun-dahr-raa-yaa)

BEACH – Pantai (pron. Pun-Tie)

Now for the Kadazandusun words:-

YES – O-o (pron. Long O sound with a guttural sound at the end like how the end of “Deux” in French is said)

NO – Au (pron. Aa-ooh with the end also having a guttural sound)

HOW ARE YOU? or Hi – Ingkuo ko no? (pron. Ink-wo ko no. The ko and no sounds like how “no” is said in French)

THANK YOU – Kotohuadan (pron. Ko-to-hwa-done. Like I am done for the day. The “d” sound is soft)

SEE YOU AGAIN – Misomo vagu tokou (pron. Mee-Soh-moh [end with guttural sound] va-goo [also guttural ending] to-kou [like “low”])

YOU’RE WELCOME (IN RESPONSE TO THANK YOU) –Ingkaa nogi (pron. Ink-ahah No-gee)

WELCOME (TO WELCOME AN ARRIVAL) – Kopivosian (pron. Ko-pee-vo-see-ahn)

EAT – Mangakan (pron. Maa-ngaa-Kun) (the end rhymes with Fun)

DRINK – Monginum (pron. Mo-ngee-noom)(end rhymes with Klum; Heidi Klum)

CAN YOU PLEASE HELP? – Tuhungo zou? (pron. Too-who-ngo Zoe. Rhymes with Toe)

THINGS NOT TO DO:-

1) Don’t put your feet up on any furniture especially when you visit someone’s home.

2) Don’t wear your shoes into someone’s home.

3) Don’t call a lady “Ayam” (it’s the Malay word for chicken) because if you do, you’re calling her a whore or prostitute

4) Public Displays of Affection makes people uncomfortable. Though holding hands is acceptable

5) Don’t leave your things unattended and keep a close eye on your things at all times. Petty theft like snatching happens pretty frequently

6) Don’t take your dog jogging with you in public parks. Most of these places have “No pets allowed signs”. The only place I know that allows you to take your dog along when jogging, is the beach

7) Try not to take the stairway exits at the mall when you’re alone

8 ) Between a crossover bridge and a zebra crossing, take the former. I don’t know why but Malaysia in general, which includes Sabah, don’t have the nicest of drivers. And when it comes to road rules and driving etiquette, pedestrians are last on the list. So be extra careful when crossing the streets.

9) In Sabah, when visiting the interior or the woods/jungle, you’ll most probably get a set of rules on what to do. DO NOT disobey. They all may seem to pertain a lot to the supernatural but I’ve seen and heard bad outcomes from people disobeying them. Believe me, I’m very much a city denizen but even I’m not one to place my pride before my safety.

10) Do not board a taxi/cab that refuses to use a meter no matter what their excuse. You can always refuse to pay the driver if he quotes you a price not in accordance with what’s stated on the meter.