Harus

Harus is a word in Indonesian and Malay meaning "must" or "have to." It expresses obligation or necessity and functions as a modal-like element preceding a verb phrase. In standard Indonesian, the verb following harus is not conjugated; e.g., "Kamu harus belajar," "Kita harus makan sekarang." The negation is formed with "tidak harus" to indicate something is not required, though "tidak perlu" is also common; questions use "Apa yang harus kita lakukan?" and "Apa yang harus dilakukan?"

Etymology and usage context: The term is native to Indonesian and Malay, widely used across these languages; its exact historical origin is not definitively established. It has cognates in many Malayic languages and is common in both casual and formal speech. The nuance of harus can range from a real obligation to a strong recommendation, depending on context. It is typically stronger than "perlu" (need) and generally less formal than "wajib," which can carry a more legal or formal duty.

Usage notes: In everyday language, harus can express necessity due to rules, laws, or personal judgments. The related form "seharusnya" expresses normative expectation or obligation that is recommended rather than mandatory. In legal or policy texts, harus is used to denote required actions, while in more formal settings wajib is also common and may be preferred for clearer mandates.