“They”

Last updated on: 10 Feb 2026

As compare to "I", "You" etc, there is one word for "they" in Malay: "Mereka". However, some notes:

Gender-Neutral	The standard and most common way to say "I." It is polite and safe to use in almost any situation, whether you are talking to a stranger, a teacher, or a boss.
Plural Only	Unlike the singular "they" sometimes used in English for an individual, mereka specifically refers to more than one person.
People vs. Objects	While mereka is primarily used for people, it is occasionally used for animals or objects in personified contexts, though often plural objects are simply referred to by repeating the noun or using "ia" (it) for general reference.