Malay · Food & Drink
nasi
Cooked rice
Beginnernoun
Definition
The staple food; nasi lemak is Malaysia's national dish.
Example
Nasi lemak ialah makanan kebangsaan Malaysia.
Nasi lemak is Malaysia's national dish.
Etymology
The word 'nasi' originates from the Sanskrit word 'nāsā', meaning 'cooked rice'. It has evolved within Malay culture to be a staple food item, central to daily meals.
How & Where It’s Used
'Nasi' is widely used in both informal and formal contexts, primarily in spoken Malay but also in written texts, especially recipes and menus. It is prevalent in various regional variations of the Malay dialects across Malaysia and Indonesia.
Literary Heritage
In traditional Malay literature, such as cooking texts and folk tales, 'nasi' is often referenced as a fundamental component of meals.