Gambaran

Gambaran is a noun in Indonesian that denotes the depiction or portrayal of something. It can refer to a visual representation, such as a drawing, photograph, or map, or to a verbal description that conveys how something appears, functions, or behaves. In many contexts, gambaran provides a concise summary of a situation, event, or concept, highlighting its essential features rather than exhaustive details.

Etymology and forms: The word derives from gambar, meaning image or drawing, with the suffix -an forming a noun indicating a result or act. As a term, gambaran may stand alone or appear in phrases such as gambaran umum (general overview), gambaran singkat (brief depiction), gambaran masa depan (future outlook), or gambaran nyata (realistic portrayal).

Usage and nuance: Gambaran is common in journalism, academic writing, policy reports, and storytelling to give readers or listeners a coherent sense of a subject. It often implies an overall view or impression rather than full, granular detail. It can contrast with deskripsi, which tends to emphasize sensory or characteristic details, and with gambaran visual, which explicitly situates a scene.

See also: Related terms include gambar (image, drawing), deskripsi (description), and gambarkan (to depict). Gambaran serves as a useful linguistic tool for framing a topic with an accessible, high-level picture while leaving room for subsequent detail.