1
the Malays
the Malays 指马来民族整体，作复数。
The Malays have their own traditions.
马来人有自己的传统。
马来人
malays — plural of malay
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
马来人
a member of the Malay people inhabiting the northern Malay Peninsula, Malaysia, and parts of the western Malay Archipelago
The Malays have their own traditions.
马来人有自己的传统。
指马来族；区别于 Malaysian（马来西亚公民）
马来裔的人,指居住在东南亚马来群岛和马来半岛的南岛语系族群
A person of Malay ancestry, referring to a diverse group of Austronesian peoples inhabiting the Malay archipelago and Malay peninsula in Southeast Asia.
一种用酸奶和水果(通常为菠萝或荔枝)制成的温和咖喱
Type of mild curry made with yoghurt and fruit, usually pineapple or lychee.
A Malay lives next door and often invites us to try his cooking.
一位马来人住在隔壁，经常邀请我们品尝他做的菜。
The Malay language has many dialects across the region.
马来语在该地区有许多方言。
Malay food is popular for its rich and spicy flavors.
马来食物因其浓郁香辣的味道而广受欢迎。
the Malays 指马来民族整体，作复数。
The Malays have their own traditions.
马来人有自己的传统。
Malay 指语言时，通常不加冠词，直接作动词宾语。
She speaks Malay at home.
她在家说马来语。
be Malay 用形容词表语说明族裔身份。
He is Malay.
他是马来人。
Malay 作定语修饰名词，如 Malay culture（马来文化）。
The Malay culture is rich.
马来文化丰富多彩。
Not this
She is Malay, but she is from a Chinese family.
Use this
She is Malaysian, but she is from a Chinese family.
'Malay' 指马来族或马来语，是民族/语言范畴；表达马来西亚的国籍或国民身份应用 'Malaysian'。句子后半句说来自华裔家庭，说明想表达的是国籍身份，所以把 'Malay' 改成 'Malaysian' 才不矛盾。
Not this
He speaks Malay language fluently.
Use this
He speaks Malay fluently.
'Malay' 表示马来语时是不可数名词，可直接说 'speak Malay'；错误地后接 'language' 会造成语义重复或语法不当。若一定要用名词 'language'，应说 'the Malay language'。
Not this
I am learning malay.
Use this
I am learning Malay.
'Malay' 是专有名词/形容词（民族、语言、地名相关），首字母必须大写。汉语没有大写规则，所以学习者易写成小写；改为大写 'Malay' 才符合英语拼写惯例。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
马来半岛
The Malay Peninsula endures a hot and humid climate all year.
马来半岛全年气候炎热潮湿。
马来语
He speaks the Malay language fluently after living in Malaysia for five years.
在马来西亚生活五年后，他能说一口流利的马来语。
马来民族
The Malay people celebrate many traditional festivals throughout the year.
马来民族全年庆祝许多传统节日。
马来群岛
The Malay Archipelago has one of the highest levels of biodiversity on Earth.
马来群岛拥有地球上最高水平的生物多样性之一。
马来文化
Malay culture places great importance on mutual respect and community life.
马来文化非常重视相互尊重和社区生活。
Use malays naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
谐音“马来”：马来半岛的居民与语言正是 Malay，发音和拼写都像中文“马来”。
语域：neutral 常见场景：ethnic group、language studies、Southeast Asian history Malay 通常作为中性词使用，在正式或学术语境中比较常见，例如涉及东南亚民族、语言或历史时。日常口语中较少单独使用，常与具体名词搭配。
作名词表示“马来人”时可数，复数形式为 malays；表示“马来语”时不可数。作形容词时通常用于名词前作定语。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.