Ekspresif

Ekspresif is an adjective used in Indonesian and other Malay-based languages to describe something that expresses emotion, intention, or meaning beyond the literal content. In everyday usage, it can refer to language, art, performance, or behavior that foregrounds subjective expression. The term derives from the root 'express' with the Indonesian suffix -if, likely via European languages such as French expressif or English expressive, and is related to ekspresi (expression) and ekspresionisme in Indonesian.

In linguistics and communication studies, ekspresif describes aspects of speech, voice, and gesture that convey the speaker's attitude or affect, as opposed to purely informational content. In the arts, ekspresif characterizes works or performances that emphasize vivid emotion, spontaneity, or personal vision, often contrasted with more restrained or formal styles. In music and theater, a performance described as ekspresif prioritizes expressive dynamics, rubato, timbre, and phrasing to communicate feeling.

The use of ekspresif is culturally dependent; what counts as expressive can vary across traditions. It is contrasted with technical or procedural descriptions that emphasize structure rather than affect. The term is common in Indonesian criticism, education, and informal discourse, and appears in discussions of literature, visual arts, music, and acting as a general descriptor rather than a formal genre.