Malay edit

Etymology edit

Affixed peng- +‎ datang.

Noun edit

pendatang (Jawi spelling ڤنداتڠ, plural pendatang-pendatang, informal 1st possessive pendatangku, 2nd possessive pendatangmu, 3rd possessive pendatangnya)

  1. an immigrant from any other country.
  2. (derogatory, offensive, ethnic slur) a Malaysian citizen of Chinese or Indian descent.

Usage notes edit

The word itself is not offensive when mentioning about immigrants from any country. However, it is only offensive when it is directed towards Malaysian citizens of ethnic Chinese or Indian descent, as it implies that they have no place or rights in the country.

Further reading edit