#1 Sayang, I love shoes

[scene from "10 Things I Hate About You"]

(around minute 5:03)

Bianca: Yeah, but see there's a difference between like and love. Because I like my Sketchers... but I love my Prada backpack.
Chastity: But.. I love my Sketchers!?
Bianca: Well that's because you don't have a Prada backpack!
Chastity: Aahh..!

/more/

/Sayang/

on the other hand, 'sayang' neither means 'like' nor 'love' nor 'affection' 

My own interpretation of the Malay word that is often used to represent the English equivalent of 'like' or 'affection', is actually a concept of 'fear, protection and caring for the pristine nature of something in your posession, something you are fond of'.

There is no English equivalent of this word, because it is a mentality that belongs to the language social group.

Example 1: New shoes (or other inanimate objects)

You just bought a brand new pair of special edition brand name sneakers. You wear it on occasion but certainly not to your weekly basketball game in the park, where it would get dirty. Why? Because you feel protective of the condition of your beloved sneakers. You don't have any emotional care or romantic feelings towards your shoes, but it is more of an owner's responsibility thing that you care for the value of your posession. 

Example 2: Children

Needless to say, our natural instinct is to care and protect children because we see them as innocent [tabula-rasa] a blank slate. Devoid of corruption.

English speaking parents tell their children "I love you". I have no idea what that means.

But when a Malay parent says "kerana sayang" [lit: because of love], it signifies authority, guardianship, protection, care, affection, fondness, all rolled into one.

This example also extends to small furry helpless animals.

Example 3: Parents

Similarly, when our parents are older, the tables are turned. Responsibility and guardianship falls on the hands of the children. In Malay (or eastern) society, that is. It is no accident that senior citizens are called 'warga emas' (lit: Golden Citizens). For they have contributed their part, now they are valued as gold.

Example 4: Romantic partners

From the aforementioned examples you can extrapolate yourself. A partnership is a shared possession, and you are responsible to protect something sacred. You cannot part from the relationship. It is 'sayang'.

Example 5: Objects of Beauty and Awe

You want to preserve the image or the beauty forever. You understand the wondrous and heavenly efforts  that went into the works that you feel you must refrain from tarnishing it or using it for as long as possible. See example 1- shoes. Again, you are their guardian and you feel protective of the things you are fond of.  Or a beautiful dish that is too beautiful that you don't want to touch it. sayang.

/Kasih/

'Kasih' means love. 

'Kekasih' means lover. 

'Kasih sayang' a combination of the authoritative guardianship and love to mean affection. 

'Kasihan' means sympathy. 

'Terima kasih' means thank you, but literally means 'accept love', as in, I command you to accept my love in gratuity.