Kompatibilis

Kompatibilis is an adjective used in several languages influenced by Latin to describe the ability of two or more entities to exist, work, or co‑exist without conflict. It is commonly applied in technology, science, and everyday discourse to denote mutual suitability or harmony between components, systems, or substances. In practice, a compatible pair operates together without causing errors, degradation, or undesirable interactions.

Etymology: The term derives from the Latin compatibilis, formed from com- (together) and patibilis (tolerable or able to be endured). Over time, Latin loanwords with compatible meaning spread into many European languages, sometimes adopting spelling variations such as kompatibilis in languages that render c as k.

Usage and scope: In computing, compatibility refers to software or hardware that can function on a given platform. In biology or medicine, compatibility describes a match between donor and recipient tissues or blood. In linguistics and philosophy, it denotes logical or practical harmony between propositions, theories, or norms. The word tends to appear in formal or technical registers.

Indonesian and Malay: In Indonesian and Malay, the common term for compatibility is kompatibel, and the noun kompatibilitas. Kompatibilis may appear as a Latin loanword in scholarly or historical texts, or in contexts that favor Latin spellings, but it is less common in everyday usage. Similar distinctions exist in other languages that differentiate between the adjective (compatible) and the noun (compatibility).

See also: compatibility, kompatibilitas, compatibility testing, interoperabilitas.