Dermawan

Dermawan is an Indonesian adjective and noun describing a person who is generous in giving money, goods, or time to others. A dermawan typically engages in charitable acts without expecting compensation. The term is used in everyday speech to describe donations to the poor, sponsorship of social programs, or voluntary help, and it appears in both informal conversations and formal reporting.

The word is native to Indonesian and Malay, linked to the broader concept of generosity and philanthropy. It is commonly used in religious contexts, particularly within Islam, where charitable acts such as zakat, infaq, and sadaqah are considered examples of dermawan behavior. Related terms include pemurah (generous) and murah hati (kind-hearted), while antonyms include bakhil (miserly) and pelit (stingy).

In cultural and social contexts, being dermawan is valued as a positive trait that reflects communal responsibility. Individuals or organizations described as dermawan may gain social recognition and legitimacy for their contributions. In modern usage, the concept extends to corporate philanthropy and charitable initiatives, with phrases such as dermawan program or dermawan activities used to describe a company’s social contributions.