Latihan

Latihan is an Indonesian term that generally means practice, drill, or training. It refers to activities designed to improve performance or proficiency through repetition and feedback. In everyday language, latihan can describe exercises in school, sports drills, music practice, or military and workplace training. The term is often used in phrases such as latihan soal (practice problems), latihan fisik (physical training), or latihan vokal (vocal training).

Etymology and usage: Latihan comes from the verb latih, meaning to train. The noun latihan denotes the act or process of training. In Indonesian, latihan contrasts with pelatihan, which more commonly denotes formal or structured instruction, sometimes at an organizational or program level. Latihan emphasizes practice and gradual skill acquisition, whereas pelatihan may carry a wider connotation of professional development or onboarding.

Contexts and examples: In education and sports, latihan is typically planned with goals, materials, and assessment; it may include warm-ups, drills, and evaluation. It can be individual or group-based and may occur daily or weekly. In performing arts and music, latihan is a key routine for skill maintenance and repertoire development. Common types include latihan soal in math or science, and latihan fisik for athletes.

Principles of effective latihan: It relies on deliberate practice, clear objectives, feedback, progressive difficulty, and adequate rest to prevent overtraining. Latihan is a core component of skill mastery in many Indonesian contexts and is often integrated into curricula and training programs.