Beginners glossary for investing
30 October 2025
2 min read
Want to start investing and feel like everything’s cheem? You’re not alone.
This glossary breaks down common investing terms into plain English so you can learn fast and invest smart.
| Term | What it means | In simple words |
|---|---|---|
| Bonds |
Loans to a company or government |
You lend them money and they pay you back with interest |
| Capital gains |
Profit from selling investments at a higher price |
Buy low, sell higher, and keep the difference |
| Dividends |
Payouts from your investments |
Some companies share a portion of their profits with you regularly |
| ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) |
A basket of different investments sold as one |
Like a cai png or nasi padang plate - you get variety in one purchase |
| Portfolio |
Your mix of investments |
Like your money playlist: choose a mix that suits you. It can be chill, balanced, or aggressive. |
| REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) |
Invest in property through the stock market |
You earn from malls, offices, or hotels without buying a building |
| Risk appetite |
How much loss you can stomach |
Whether you're okay with stock market rollercoasters or prefer peace and quiet |
| Stocks |
Shares of a company you can buy |
You own a small piece of the company |
| Time horizon |
How long you’ll keep your money invested |
Longer = more time to ride out price fluctuations, shorter = play safer |
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