Wait, there’s no Malay on Duolingo? Yes, you read that right. No Malay on Duolingo. It’s surprising, considering Malay is spoken by over 77 million people worldwide and serves as the official language of Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore.
For anyone looking to learn Malay, this is frustrating. Luckily, there is a great alternative. Ling offers a full Malay course with interactive lessons, native speaker audio, and gamified exercises. You can start speaking, reading, and understanding Malay from day one, without waiting.
Where Is Malay Spoken?
If you’re considering learning Malay, you may wonder where you’ll actually use it. Malay is the official language of Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore, and it’s also widely used in parts of Indonesia and southern Thailand.
With over 77 million native speakers and millions more who use it as a second language, Malay isn’t just local; it has a global presence. You might even hear it in cities far from Southeast Asia, like London, Sydney, or New York, thanks to Malay-speaking communities abroad.
Learning Malay means you can communicate across countries, connect with different communities, and understand a language that plays a major role in business, education, and culture throughout the region.
Why Malay Deserves A Spot On Duolingo?
It’s hard to believe, but there is no Malay on Duolingo yet. That’s surprising given how many people speak it and how culturally important it is across Southeast Asia.
Malay is the official language of Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. In Malaysia, it’s called Bahasa Malaysia, while in Brunei it goes by Bahasa Melayu. Beyond these countries, Malay is spoken in southern Thailand and parts of Indonesia, including the Riau Islands, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and West Java. Millions of people use it every day for work, school, and cultural life.
Some might wonder if Duolingo skips Malay because Indonesian is already on the platform. While the two languages share similarities, they are not identical, and learning Malay opens doors to a unique culture, vocabulary, and regional usage that Indonesian alone doesn’t cover.
The language is rich in history, literature, and modern media. From traditional poems to contemporary music, Malay has a vibrant cultural footprint. With over 77 million speakers worldwide and thriving diaspora communities, it’s clear that Malay deserves more attention in the language learning world.
Is Malay Hard To Learn?
You might be wondering if learning Malay is going to be a struggle. The good news is that for English speakers, Malay is considered one of the easier languages to pick up.
Malay uses the Latin alphabet, so you do not have to memorize a new writing system. Its pronunciation is generally straightforward, and words are often pronounced the way they are written. Grammar is simpler than that of many other languages. There are no verb conjugations or gendered nouns, which makes forming sentences much easier.
That does not mean there are no challenges. Some vocabulary and expressions are unique to the region, and mastering the right tone or context for formal and informal speech takes practice. Still, with consistent practice and the right tools, you can start understanding and speaking Malay much faster than you might expect.
Why Is There No Malay On Duolingo?
Although Malay is widely spoken, there may be a few reasons why it hasn’t been added to Duolingo yet.
One reason could be resource constraints. Building a full course requires time, money, and expertise to cover grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context. Developing a high-quality Malay course takes significant effort.
Another factor might be the contributors’ support. Duolingo courses are created and maintained by volunteers who are fluent in the language. Without enough Malay speakers willing to contribute and maintain the course, it becomes challenging to launch it on the platform.
Market demand and prioritization also play a role. Duolingo focuses on languages that have the largest potential user base. While Malay is widely spoken, the platform may prioritize languages with higher global demand to reach more learners.
Some may wonder if similarity to Indonesian is a factor. While the two languages share many words, they are not identical. A proper Malay course would cover its unique grammar, vocabulary, and regional variations, which require separate development from Indonesian.
Until Duolingo adds Malay, learners need to look for alternatives that offer a complete and practical Malay course.
Duolingo Vs. Ling: Quick Comparison
You probably already noticed that Duolingo does not offer a Malay course, which can be frustrating if you are looking for an interactive way to learn the language.
Duolingo is a great app for many languages, but it is not always the best choice for languages like Malay that require a focus on pronunciation, practical phrases, and regional context.
Ling, on the other hand, provides a full Malay course. It includes native speaker audio, grammar explanations, practical vocabulary, and cultural notes that help you understand how the language is actually used.
Here is a brief comparison of the two platforms for learning Malay:
| Feature | Duolingo | Ling |
|---|---|---|
| Malay Course Available | No | Yes |
| Native Speaker Audio | Limited | Yes |
| Grammar Explanations | Minimal | Yes |
| Speaking and Listening Practice | Basic | Strong |
| Real-World Conversation Practice | No | Yes |
| Customizable Learning Path | No | Yes |
| Dialog Feature to Practice Conversations | No | Yes |
| Free Trial Available | Yes | Yes |
What Is the Best Alternative To Learn Malay?
I am glad you asked. There is one very obvious recommendation that can be made here, and that is the Ling app. If you want to learn Malay the way it is actually spoken, Ling gives you that experience. You won’t just learn vocabulary; you will learn how Malay is actually used in everyday conversations.
Ling makes lessons feel alive. You can track your progress as you move through topics and exercises, and seeing yourself improve keeps you motivated. The app turns learning into something you actually look forward to instead of a chore.
One feature that really stands out is the chatbot. You can practice conversations in Malay without feeling self-conscious. It is like having a safe space to try out your skills before using them with real people.
What makes Ling the best choice is its focus on practical, everyday language. From greetings to phrases you will actually use at work, school, or when traveling, Ling prepares you to communicate confidently. If your goal is to start speaking Malay quickly and naturally, this is the app that will get you there.
Pricing
- 7-day free trial
- $14.99 (Monthly)
- $29.99 (Quarterly)
- $79.99 (Annually)
Why Serious Learners Choose Ling
If you are serious about learning Malay, Ling is the app that can actually help you make real progress. From the very first lesson, you start using words and phrases you will encounter in daily life, not just memorizing vocabulary lists.
Ling keeps learning and engaging. Lessons are interactive and gamified, so you can track your progress and see improvement with every session. This helps you stay motivated even if you only have a few minutes a day to practice.
One of the standout features is the chatbot. It lets you practice conversations in a safe, low-pressure environment. You can build confidence and experiment with speaking before using Malay with real people.
Ling also focuses on practical, everyday language. You learn greetings, common expressions, and sentences you would actually use in work, travel, or social settings. Many learners find that after just a few lessons, they can handle basic conversations with confidence.
Here’s what real users have to say:
“Great for learning Hindi and non-European languages if you’re English speaking; honestly, better than Duolingo if you’re actually trying to learn as quickly as possible. The lesson structure and challenges help you learn how to speak the language and recognize sentence structure patterns as a beginner. Plus, no annoying ads with the free version, so you can continue learning without feeling distracted.”
★★★★★ – Fi
“This app is sooo good! I’m really enjoying learning new languages especially Thai! The lessons are fun, easy to follow, and super effective. Highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn a new language!”
★★★★★ – Ayesh Ednamzug
“Best language learning app in my opinion. Other famous apps won’t include unpopular languages, but Ling supports them all, every country and language.”
★★★★★ – Epsilon Enigma
Frequently Asked Questions When Learning Malay
Can I Really Learn Malay On My Own?
Absolutely. With Ling, you can practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking at your own pace. The app guides you through lessons step by step, so even if you’re learning by yourself, you won’t feel lost.
How Long Will It Take Before I Can Start Speaking Malay?
If you dedicate even a few minutes a day, you can start using basic phrases and simple sentences in just a few weeks. The interactive lessons and chatbot practice help you build confidence fast, so you’ll feel ready to speak sooner than you might expect.
Is It Possible To Become Fluent Using The Ling App?
Ling can get you really far. You’ll learn vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, and you can even practice conversations with the chatbot. While speaking with native speakers and using Malay in real life will help you reach full fluency, Ling gives you the tools and confidence to communicate in everyday situations. It’s a solid way to start speaking Malay quickly.
Start Learning Malay With Ling!
Not sure what to do next? Start by setting some small, achievable goals for your language-learning journey. Learning Malay isn’t as hard as it seems if you focus on steady daily, weekly, or monthly progress.
If you want to build basic vocabulary and pick up useful phrases quickly, try the Ling app. It offers more than 70 language courses and 200+ lessons designed to make learning easier and help you remember what you study.
Don’t wait any longer! Download the Ling app now on the Play Store or App Store and start your journey to learn Malay today!
