Hentian

Hentian is a term used in Malay- and Indonesian-speaking contexts to denote a stopping place for travelers. It can refer to a bus stop, a bus station, or a rest area along a road, depending on the country and local usage. As a general concept, a hentian serves as a place where people pause their journey to board, alight, rest, or obtain information.

Etymology and meaning derive from the verb henti, which means to stop or halt. The noun form hentian thus means a halt, stopover, or place where stopping is intended. In everyday language, phrases such as hentian bas (bus stop) or hentian rehat (rest stop) illustrate its practical application.

Usage and facilities vary by context. In many Malay-speaking areas, hentian bas denotes a designated stop for buses, and larger facilities may be described as hentian bas besar or hentian utama. In highways, hentian can refer to rest stops or layovers that provide shelter, seating, and information boards, though the exact features differ by location and management. In urban areas, signage may simply mark a hentian as a transit node or a stop for intercity services.

Regional differences. In Malaysia and parts of Indonesia, hentian is commonly used to indicate a stopping point for public transport, while other terms such as halte or terminal may appear in signage or colloquial speech. The concept overlaps with bus terminals, interchanges, and highway rest areas, reflecting local transportation practices and infrastructure development.

See also: bus stop, bus terminal, rest area, halte.