Idioms of Malay Language
Learning the Depth

Gila isim In Malay language, learning to use the power of isim in mysticism may expose a person to the possibility of being possessed by evil spirits, resulting in abnormal behaviour called "gila isim". "Isim" a word of Arabic origin means , 1) name or 2) mantras containing God's name,

Gila talak Talak is divorced spouse. Gila talak is to keep thinking of one's ex. This is often used in political satires. Politicians who left their allies then come back or just to meddle around.

Gila urat Urat is body parts that should be covered according to Islam. This Malay language idiom refers to desiring very much one's lover including body parts that should be covered... no wonder some folks say: Miang !!!

Gila-gila bahasa "Insane or not long in thinking, i.e. quick temper, daredevil, shameless" according to our dear Kamus Dewan. Personally I think Wikipedia makes Malay language learning much more simple and fun for this entry.

Terdapat beberapa keadaan di mana seseorang itu dianggap gila, iaitu daripada peringkat ringan seperti gila-gila bahasa sehingga gila sepenuhnya.--Wikipedia
There are a few situations in which a person is considered crazy, that is from the early stage such as talking crazy until full insanity.

Golok kayu Don't get this confused with the proverb "laksana golok kayu, ditetak tak makan, dijual tak laku", literally " As a wooden machete, doesn't hurt if it chops you, nobody wants to buy if you sell it." In another words, a wooden machete is useless and it is used to symbolize insufficient knowledge which is equally useless. The idiom golok kayu however means an idiot who tries to play smart.

Gores hati To etch a line on the heart with a sharp instrument is the to hurt. Here, we learn Malay idiom example of gores hati through the lyrics of an Indonesian song.

Tiap kali kau gores hati ini
Mataku menjelma
sejuta mata air hingga mengering
--Siksa dicipta oleh Titik Hamzah.

Each time you hurt this heart
My eyes emerge
a million tears until they run dry
--Siksa written by Titik Hamzah.

Goyang kaki Shake your legs like a tauke is to lead a carefree life and not working.

Gugur talak To cause a divorce.

Mahkamah Rendah Syariah memutuskan sah gugur talak satu ke atas seorang isteri ekoran lafaz yang diucapkan oleh bekas suaminya.
The Lower Syariah Court ruled that a divorce uttered once upon a wife by her ex-husband as valid.

Gula-gula 1.Something that makes one happy.

Tangkapan dua orang ahli politik akibat rasuah merupakan gula-gula menjelang pilihanraya.
The arrest of two corrupted politicians is applauded as the election draws near.

Gula-gula 2. Concubine. It is okay to call a girl sweetie in English but NOT so when you learn Malay.

Gulung tikar Roll up your mattress and move elsewhere when a business goes...bankrupt.

Kira-kira 70 peratus wakil penjual kereta nasional di seluruh negara menghadapi risiko gulung tikar selepas jualan mereka mencatatkan kerugian sejak tahun lepas.
About 70 per cent of the national car sales representatives nationwide face bankruptcy when their sales plummeted last year.

Guna-guna Love charm.

I'd rather not list example sentences here as folks often say that a young lady "kena guna-guna" in Malay language after learning she had married a much older man.

Gunting hati Cutting the heart with scissors. To hurt someone's feelings.

Gunung hati The yearning of the heart is as high as a mountain. To long for very much.

Gunung payung Darling. Logic? No idea. There is a classic song entitled "Gunung Payung", describing the happiness of a couple on their wedding day. Let's go for Malay language learning the nostalgic style by looking at the bride's line:

Bunga-bunga rampai(link) alah sayang
Bau harum wangi alah intan
Tepuk biar ramai gunung payung
Biar majlis tidak sunyi

Hai direnjis-renjis dengan air alah sayang
Dengan air wangi alah intan
Biar lebih manis gunung payung
Nampak seri dua sejoli

Assorted flowers o love
The fragrance o diamond
Let many clap darling
So that the wedding is not deserted

Hi sprinkled with water o love
With fragrant water o diamond
May you be sweeter darling
Looking radiant a matching couple.

Gunung runtuh If a mountain ever collapses, imagine the noise. This idiom means thunderous sound. By the way this is not the Gunung Runtuh in Perak where they found a stone age man, okay?

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