HATIHATI

Hatihati is an Indonesian expression meaning be careful, watch out, or take care. It is most commonly written as hati-hati, but informal writing or signage may appear without the hyphen as hatihati. The term is a general safety exhortation used in everyday speech, education, media, and public notices.

Etymology and form: Hatihati is a reduplication of the word hati, which means heart in Indonesian. The repetition serves to intensify the admonition, turning a simple warning into a stronger prompt to exercise caution in actions or handling a situation. The phrase functions as an interjection, an adjective, or a stand-alone imperative, depending on context.

Usage and examples: In conversation, speakers say items like “Hati-hati di lantai basah” (Be careful on the wet floor) or simply “Hati-hati!” as a cautionary exclamation. It is common in road safety campaigns, workplace safety advisories, and instructional materials for children. The phrase is widely understood across Indonesian-speaking communities and is also cognate in Malay, with similar usage.

Orthography and variants: The standard written form in Indonesian is hati-hati. Some sources, especially casual online text, may join the words as hatihati. In formal signage, the phrase may appear in uppercase as HATI-HATI to maximize visibility and emphasis.

See also: Similar safety phrases in other languages (for example, cuidado in Spanish, faites attention in French) reflect a common cross-cultural emphasis on warning and caution in public communication.