Food is everything in Malaysia – a topic to be discussed, an activity to bond over with family and friends, a passion or a pastime in the form of cooking (or eating). It also features in idioms, or peribahasa, which are used to express ideas or feelings, served with useful advice and lessons to be learnt.
Almost every language has its idioms. Today, on Malaysia Day, here are 10 peribahasa that relate strongly to food. Try to read these without your mouth watering!
1. Udang di sebalik batu
This describes someone who has hidden intentions in what they say or do. For instance, a friend who says, “Wah, that looks so delicious!” whenever there is food in front of you might be conveying that he or she wants to have some. How shell-fish of them.
2. Mendapat durian runtuh
A common peribahasa in the Malay community, this describes someone who receives a windfall without having to work hard for it – such as winning the lottery, receiving an unexpected bonus at the end of the year, or scoring a plethora of free food!
3. Kepit daun kunyit
Do you need the perfect idiom to describe someone who loves to praise him or herself? “Kepit daun kunyit” is similar to the peribahasa “angkat bakul sendiri”, which is akin to “blowing one’s own horn” in English. Best used in instances where someone cooks a meal and exclaims, “Wah, my fried rice is so delicious!”
4. Ada gula, ada semut
What happens when you leave an uncovered piece of cake on a table? You likely get ants! This idiom describes how people are attracted to things that benefit them – a self-serving opportunity within their grasp.
5. Diam-diam ubi berisi
The “ubi” in this idiom refers to a person who is very quiet but very smart. A seemingly shy, reticent person might have a lot going on beneath the surface – reflective, perhaps, of how potatoes grow underground and the only way you can get to them is by digging for them.
6. Ada kerak, ada nasi
“Kerak” refers to the crust at the bottom of the rice cooker. This peribahasa means every action has its consequences – like cooking a bad meal for your mother-in-law.
7. Bagaimana acuan begitulah kuihnya
Akin to “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” – another food idiom – this basically means children inherit the characteristics of their parents. If, for example, you are passionate about baking, then it is likely your kids are, too – or at the very least will enjoy eating the fruits of your labour!
8. Garam jatuh ke gula
While salt falling into sugar might ruin the whole batch, this idiom actually has a more positive meaning. It refers to an open-minded and positive person, someone who doesn’t mind being on the receiving end of criticism doled out to them.
9. Berjagung-jagung dahulu sementara menunggu padi masak
This is a long one, though it’s not as “corn”-y as it sounds! This idiom advises you to do something useful or productive while awaiting something good to happen. For example, why not work part-time at a café and earn some extra cash before you head off to university? That sort of thing.
10. Nasi tak dingin pinggan tak retak
There are many idioms related to rice, probably because Malaysians love it so much. This peribahasa refers to someone who is very careful or diligent while doing something. If the rice doesn’t get cold, the plate won’t break – makes sense, doesn’t it?!
This article was written by Ili Sakinah for butterkicap.com, a food and culture platform and community that enables anyone to experience Malaysia through stories of its people, food and places.