10 Malay idioms using "hati"

In my daily life, I use the phrase hati-hati often when saying goodbye to family members going out to work, driving long distances or just going grocery shopping. It means "to be careful" and is used in a similar way to "Take care."

But did you know that hati actually means heart? This word is so important for you learn because it's also part of many idioms. Let's go through 10 of these and see if you can fit them in your daily conversation.

1️⃣ ada hati

📗 Malay meaning: berhajat, berniat

📕 English meaning: to want, to dare

😠 Ada hati nak meminang anak aku? Jangan perasan!

😠 You dare ask for my daughter's hand in marriage? Dream on!

2️⃣ tawar hati

📗 Malay meaning: pasrah

📕 English meaning: to feel resigned, to not want anymore, to be forced to accept something

😔Lili tawar hati dengan keadaan sistem pendidikan di negara ini.

😔 Lili was resigned to the state of the education system in this country.

3️⃣ ambil hati

📗 Malay meaning: terasa, terluka perasaan

📕 English meaning: to feel offended

😭 "Mestilah saya ambil hati, dia cakap muka saya buruk!" teriak anak perempuannya.

😭 "Of course I am offended, he said I was ugly!" screamed his daughter.

📗📗 Malay meaning: pujuk

📕📕English meaning: to make up with someone, to persuade, to console

💍 Ayah cuba mengambil hati ibu dengan menghadiahkan sebentuk cincin.

💍 Daddy tried to make up with mummy by gifting her a ring.

4️⃣ berat hati

📗 Malay meaning: tidak mahu, ragu-ragu

📕 English meaning: to feel reluctant

🛫 "Mak berat hati nak hantar kamu ke luar negara, sayang," katanya kepada Ahmad.

🛫 "I am reluctant to send you off abroad, dear," mum told Ahmad.

5️⃣ jatuh hati

📗 Malay meaning: jatuh cinta

📕 English meaning: to fall in love

❤️ Mereka jatuh hati dengan keramahan orang di Zimbabwe.

❤️ They fell in love with how friendly people were in Zimbabwe.

6️⃣ iri hati

📗 Malay meaning: cemburu

📕 English meaning: to feel envious

🎒 Kamu iri hati tengok beg baru kawan? Nak ayah belikan yang baru juga?

🎒 You're jealous of your friend's new bag? Want me to buy you a new one too?

7️⃣ buah hati

📗 Malay meaning: kekasih, kesayangan, yang tersayang

📕 English meaning: apple of one's eye, lover

💌 Melompat dia apabila terima surat daripada buah hatinya.

💌 They jumped in joy after receiving a letter from their partner.

8️⃣ jauh hati

📗 Malay meaning: merajuk

📕 English meaning: to sulk, to feel hurt

🎂 Abang berasa jauh hati setelah mendapat tahu dia tidak diundang ke parti hari jadi rakannya.

🎂 My older brother is hurt after finding out that he was not invited to his friend's birthday party.

9️⃣ keras hati

📗 Malay meaning: berazam, gigih/degil

📕 English meaning: to be determined, to be tough/to be stubborn

💪 Walaupun menghadapi berbagai-bagai rintangan, dia masih berkeras hati mahu melaporkan masalah pencemaran di tasik itu.

💪 Even though she is facing various challenges, she is still very determined to report the pollution issue at the lake.

🔟 hati perut

📗 Malay meaning: moral, akal, perasaan

📕 English meaning: morality, compassion

🐕 "Tak berhati perut betul orang macam ini", rungut Ki Hong sambil mengutip anak anjing yang dibuang di tepi tong sampah.

🐕 "These people are heartless," grumbled Ki Hong while picking up a puppy that was thrown away beside the trash bin.

Done with studying these idioms? Check out a video on our YouTube channel here: