Melangkah

Melangkah is a verb in Indonesian and Malay meaning to step, to tread, or to move forward. It can refer to the literal act of lifting a foot and advancing, as well as to taking action or making progress in a non-literal sense. The word often carries a sense of deliberate movement or progression.

Etymology and form: Melangkah is derived from the noun langkah, which means a step. The prefix me- is added to form a active verb, indicating the action of performing steps. The root langk-ha is preserved in the pronunciation and meaning, and the word is used across both Indonesian and Malay with similar nuance and spelling.

Usage and sense: Melangkah is typically intransitive, used with adverbials or measure expressions such as melangkah dua langkah or melangkah perlahan. It is common in everyday language for both physical movement and metaphorical progress. Phrases like melangkah maju, melangkah ke depan, or melangkah mundur describe direction or stance. Metaphorically, melangkah conveys initiative or transition, as in melangkah menuju masa depan or melangkah keluar dari zona nyaman.

Synonyms and contrasts: Berjalan (to walk) is a related verb but broader; melangkah emphasizes a distinct stepping action or a defined movement. An idiomatic alternative is mengambil langkah, meaning to take a step or to take decisive action.

Examples: Dia melangkah maju ke podium. Mereka melangkah dua langkah ke depan. Perusahaan melangkah ke era digital, menunjukkan kemajuan. These usages illustrate both literal and figurative applications of melangkah in contemporary Indonesian and Malay.