Malu-malu kucing
Pretending to be shy
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'Malu-malu kucing' to describe someone acting shy or hesitant about something they actually really want or enjoy.
- Means: Pretending to be shy or modest while secretly desiring something.
- Used in: Dating, accepting food/gifts, or receiving compliments in social settings.
- Don't confuse: It's not about being genuinely afraid; it's a playful social performance.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
Being shy but actually wanting something
Contexte culturel
In Javanese culture, the concept of 'Ewuh Pakewuh' (feeling uneasy about bothering others) often leads to 'malu-malu kucing' behavior. It is seen as a sign of high upbringing to not be too direct. Sundanese people are known for being 'someah' (friendly and polite). 'Malu-malu kucing' is common during 'Botram' (communal eating) where people politely offer food to others first. In the capital, the phrase is used heavily in 'Sinetron' (soap operas) to depict the 'innocent girl' trope. It's also a staple in office banter. While Minang culture can be more direct in business, in social settings, 'malu-malu kucing' is still used to maintain 'adat' (tradition) and respect.
Use it for teasing
This phrase is best used with a playful tone and a smile. It's a great way to bond with Indonesian friends.
Don't overdo it
If someone says 'no' and looks genuinely distressed, stop. Don't assume everyone is 'malu-malu kucing'.
Signification
Being shy but actually wanting something
Use it for teasing
This phrase is best used with a playful tone and a smile. It's a great way to bond with Indonesian friends.
Don't overdo it
If someone says 'no' and looks genuinely distressed, stop. Don't assume everyone is 'malu-malu kucing'.
The 'Cie' Factor
Combine it with the exclamation 'Cie!' (pronounced chee-eh) for maximum native effect: 'Cie, malu-malu kucing nih!'
Accepting Food
If you are in Indonesia, expect people to be 'malu-malu kucing' with food. It's your job as a host to ask at least twice!
Teste-toi
Choose the best situation to use 'malu-malu kucing'.
Sinta really wants the last piece of cake, but she says 'No, I'm full' while smiling.
Sinta is acting shy/reluctant despite wanting the cake, which is the definition of the phrase.
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
Jangan __________, ambil saja uang ini untuk jajan!
The context is about accepting money/gifts, where 'malu-malu kucing' fits perfectly.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Kamu suka ya sama Andi?' B: 'Ah, tidak... (wajah memerah)' A: 'Cie, kamu kok _________?'
Person B is blushing and denying feelings, which is a classic 'shy cat' moment.
Match the phrase to the meaning.
Malu-malu tapi mau
This is the most common variation and direct meaning of the phrase.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Malu vs. Malu-malu Kucing
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's generally a lighthearted tease. However, if used in a serious situation, it could be seen as dismissive.
Yes! While it's slightly more common for women or children, men can definitely be 'malu-malu kucing' too, especially in dating.
'Malu' is the feeling of shame or shyness. 'Malu-malu' implies an action or a state of acting shyly.
Not really. In formal settings, you would use words like 'sungkan' or 'rendah hati' instead of the cat metaphor.
Because cats are famous for pretending they don't care about food until you give it to them.
Yes, you can say 'Aduh, saya jadi malu-malu kucing' if you want to be self-deprecating and cute.
Yes, the phrase is common in both Indonesian and Malay (Bahasa Melayu).
It's very similar, but 'malu-malu kucing' focuses more on the shyness, while 'jual mahal' focuses on the 'price/value'.
No! That doesn't exist and might sound weird or offensive.
Only in very casual business settings, like a team lunch. Avoid it in formal meetings.
Expressions liées
Malu-malu tapi mau
synonymShy but wants it
Jual mahal
similarPlaying hard to get
Rendah hati
contrastHumble
Malu-maluin
contrastEmbarrassing
Kucing-kucingan
similarCat and mouse game
Où l'utiliser
First Date
Andi: Kamu mau coba es krim aku?
Sinta: Eh, tidak usah, terima kasih... (tapi melihat es krimnya)
Andi: Halah, jangan malu-malu kucing! Ini enak lho.
Dinner at a Friend's House
Tuan Rumah: Ayo tambah lagi nasinya, Pak.
Tamu: Sudah kenyang, Bu... (padahal masih lapar)
Tuan Rumah: Ah, Bapak malu-malu kucing saja. Saya ambilkan ya.
Receiving a Compliment
Teman: Wah, suaramu bagus sekali!
Penyanyi: Ah, tidak... biasa saja kok... (sambil tersenyum)
Teman: Cie, malu-malu kucing dia!
Job Promotion
Bos: Selamat atas promosinya! Kamu senang?
Karyawan: Saya hanya beruntung, Pak...
Bos: Jangan malu-malu kucing, kamu sudah kerja keras!
Asking for a Favor
Adik: Kak, boleh pinjam motor? Tapi kalau tidak boleh ya sudah...
Kakak: Ngomong saja mau pinjam, jangan malu-malu kucing!
Social Media Commenting
Netizen A: Cie, foto sama siapa itu? Kok malu-malu kucing?
Netizen B: Cuma teman kok! Haha.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a cat (kucing) looking away from a fish while slowly moving closer to it. It's 'shy' (malu) but hungry!
Visual Association
Imagine a person hiding their face behind a fan or their hands, but peeking through their fingers with a big smile because they just got offered their favorite dessert.
Rhyme
Malu-malu tapi mau, kucing lari ke situ.
Story
A cat named Milo sees a bowl of milk. Milo pretends to wash his paws and look at the birds. But as soon as the owner leaves, Milo drinks the whole bowl. Milo is 'malu-malu kucing'.
Word Web
Défi
Next time someone offers you a snack, try to decline once politely with a smile, then accept when they ask again. You've just performed a 'malu-malu kucing'!
In Other Languages
Hacerse el estrecho / Mosquita muerta
The Spanish versions are often more critical or imply deception.
Faire la sainte-nitouche
French focuses on false innocence; Indonesian focuses on social modesty.
Sich zieren
German is a verb, while Indonesian is a noun-phrase/idiom.
猫を被る (Neko o kaburu)
Japanese implies hiding a 'bad' self; Indonesian implies hiding a 'wanting' self.
تمنع وهو راغب (Tamanna'a wa huwa raghib)
The Arabic version is more formal/literary.
欲擒故纵 (Yù qín gù zòng)
Chinese focuses on the strategy; Indonesian focuses on the feeling/behavior.
내숭 떨다 (Naesung tteolda)
Korean can sometimes be used as an insult by other women.
Fazer doce
Portuguese uses a food metaphor; Indonesian uses an animal metaphor.
Easily Confused
Learners often mix up the suffix '-in'.
Remember: 'Malu-malu' (repeated) is the shy cat. 'Malu-maluin' (with -in) is an action that causes shame.
Both involve cats and reduplication.
Kucing-kucingan is about 'hiding' (like a game). Malu-malu kucing is about 'shyness'.
FAQ (10)
No, it's generally a lighthearted tease. However, if used in a serious situation, it could be seen as dismissive.
Yes! While it's slightly more common for women or children, men can definitely be 'malu-malu kucing' too, especially in dating.
'Malu' is the feeling of shame or shyness. 'Malu-malu' implies an action or a state of acting shyly.
Not really. In formal settings, you would use words like 'sungkan' or 'rendah hati' instead of the cat metaphor.
Because cats are famous for pretending they don't care about food until you give it to them.
Yes, you can say 'Aduh, saya jadi malu-malu kucing' if you want to be self-deprecating and cute.
Yes, the phrase is common in both Indonesian and Malay (Bahasa Melayu).
It's very similar, but 'malu-malu kucing' focuses more on the shyness, while 'jual mahal' focuses on the 'price/value'.
No! That doesn't exist and might sound weird or offensive.
Only in very casual business settings, like a team lunch. Avoid it in formal meetings.
