also: マライ · マレイ
noun
Malaya
Historical term for the Malay Peninsula or the former British Malaya.
マレーはかつてイギリスの植民地だった。
Malaya was once a British colony.
noun-modifying (irregular)
Malay; Malayan
Prenominal use referring to things related to Malaya or the Malay people.
マレー半島は東南アジアにある。
The Malay Peninsula is in Southeast Asia.
Ateji (phonetic) kanji form; rarely used.
Refers to the modern nation of Malaysia, while マレー is the historical term for Malaya.
From English 'Malay' or 'Malaya', referring to the region and people.