makan

Makan is a common word in Malay and Indonesian that means “to eat.” It is the standard verb used for eating in everyday speech. When referring to meals, it appears in phrases such as makan siang for lunch and makan malam for dinner. For breakfast, the usual term is sarapan, though makan pagi is also understood in some contexts. The related noun makanan denotes food or cuisine, and pemakan means “eater.”

The term is widely used across Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei, where Malay or Indonesian is spoken. It appears in formal writing as well as casual conversation and features in numerous everyday expressions, including makan bersama, meaning “eat together,” which reflects the social aspect of sharing meals in many communities.

Cultural context centers on food as a social activity. Meals are commonly shared with family and friends, and the verb makan functions in invitations, requests, and routine dialogue. Beyond its basic sense, the word participates in a core vocabulary of food-related terms common to Malay- and Indonesian-speaking cultures, with related forms such as makanan for food and pemakan for a person who eats. The usage is largely consistent across the region, though pronunciation and colloquial style can vary by dialect.