Malaysia: primary language is Malay — English is widely spoken, especially in cities and tourist areas.
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The primary language in Malaysia is Malay.
English is widely spoken, especially in cities and tourist areas. Widely spoken as a legacy of British colonial history, especially in Kuala Lumpur and tourist areas.
Learning "hello," "please," "thank you," "excuse me," and "the check please" in the local language goes a long way anywhere, including Malaysia — locals consistently appreciate the effort.
It's rarely necessary given how widely English is understood in Malaysia, but it doesn't hurt to have one as a backup.