Malu malu

· from Malay

What does malu mean?

Malu is a Malay and Indonesian word combining shame, shyness and modesty, an important social emotion.

Feeling malu can mean being embarrassed, bashful or ashamed of behaving improperly. Not feeling malu (tak tahu malu) is a strong criticism. A shy plant, Mimosa pudica, is called pokok semalu or putri malu.

Examples

Saya malu (I am embarrassed); tak tahu malu (shameless); malu-malu (shy, coy); putri malu (Mimosa pudica)

Kungfucius says: Malu: the plant folds its leaves, and so do you.