Minyak
/ˈmin.jaʔ/noun
The Sundanese word for oil or other oily liquid.
Did you know?Minyak is an inherited Austronesian word rather than a Sanskrit magical term, showing how everyday vocabulary can preserve prehistoric connections across island cultures.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Malayo-Polynesian
PMP
*miñak
“Reconstructed word for oil or grease”
Early Austronesian languages
Austronesian
*miñak
“An inherited term referring to oily or fatty substances”
Old Javanese period
Old Javanese
minyak
“Oil or grease”
Classical Malay period
Malay
minyak
“Oil, especially coconut or other vegetable oil”
Modern period
Sundanese
minyak
“Oil or oily liquid”