Encik

Encik is the Malay courtesy title used to address a man. In Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore, it is placed before the person’s name and serves as the equivalent of Mr. in English. It is commonly used in everyday conversation, customer service, business correspondence, and official communication, as well as in media and public signage.

The exact origin of Encik is not definitively documented. It is generally regarded as a Malay adaptation of an English-language honorific, established in modern usage to convey respect without implying kinship. Encik is used with adult men and is not tied to a family name; it can precede a given name or a full name, for example, Encik Ahmad or Encik Tan.

Malay honorifics include Encik for men, Cik for women, and Puan for Madam; Tuan is another formal form used in some contexts. Choices among these terms vary by region, setting, and level of formality. In contemporary usage, Encik remains a standard, neutral form of address across formal and semi-formal interactions in Malay-speaking communities.