Balasan

Balasan is an Indonesian noun that refers to the act of replying or the reply itself. It is used to describe a response to a message, letter, email, or other form of communication. In Malay as well, balasan can carry similar meanings, including response, retaliation, or recompense, depending on context.

Etymologically, balasan derives from the verb balas, meaning to return or to repay, with the nominal suffix -an. This formation emphasizes the act or result of returning a response to something directed at the subject. The term often carries a sense of reciprocity: someone sends a message, and the balasan is the reciprocal communication in return.

In common usage, balasan contrasts with jawaban. Jawaban typically denotes a direct answer to a question, focusing on content or correctness, while balasan emphasizes replying to a communication or event, often in a social or formal context. Balasan is widely used with modifiers such as balasan pesan (reply to a message), balasan email (email reply), balasan surat (reply letter), or balasan kritik (response to criticism). In informal speech, it can also refer to a witty or sharp retort, as in balasan pedas.

Legal or formal contexts may use balasan to denote an official reply or response from an organization, such as balasan resmi (official reply) or balasan atas tuduhan (response to allegations). In everyday life, it is a standard term for the exchange of responses in digital communications and correspondence.