Bentuk

Bentuk is a term used in Indonesian and Malay that translates roughly as form, shape, or configuration. It denotes how something is arranged in space, its external contour, or its internal structure and organization. The word is used across many disciplines to describe both tangible objects and abstract concepts of form.

In linguistics, bentuk refers to the form of a word, including its inflection, derivation, or conjugation. In Indonesian grammar the term bentuk kata is used to describe such word forms.

In geometry and visual arts, bentuk describes the shape or form of objects, as well as the arrangement of elements such as line, color, and volume. Designers and architects consider bentuk to achieve balance, harmony, and function.

In biology and medicine, form or morphology (bentuk morfologi) refers to the outward appearance of organisms or tissues, often used to distinguish species or developmental stages from their internal processes.

In philosophy and social theory, bentuk can refer to the essential structure that orders matter, such as the form of government (bentuk pemerintahan) or the formal organization of a system. The concept is frequently tied to debates about form versus content, structure versus function, and the ways form constrains or enables processes.

The term remains highly context-dependent, with its meaning shaped by the specific discipline and cultural usage. See also morphology and form of government for related concepts.