Menanti

Menanti is a verb in Malay and Indonesian meaning to wait or to await. It denotes the act of looking forward to something or someone and expecting a particular outcome. The term is used in both everyday and formal contexts, though it often carries a more literary or official tone than everyday speech.

Etymology and form: Menanti is formed with the prefix me- attached to the root nanti, a word associated with the future or something expected. In grammar, menanti is used as a transitive verb, requiring an object or a clause indicating what is being waited for. The corresponding noun form is penantian, meaning the state or act of waiting or anticipation.

Usage and nuance: Menanti emphasizes anticipation of a future event, while menunggu (to wait) is a more general term for waiting. In practice, the two verbs can be interchangeable in some contexts, but menanti tends to appear in formal writing, journalism, or literary prose. Examples include saya menanti kabar, mereka menanti keputusan, and penantian panjang.

Regional and register notes: The word is common across Indonesian and Malay varieties, with register differences affecting its frequency. In more colloquial speech, people may prefer menunggu, whereas menanti appears in news reports, official statements, and literary works.

See also: menunggu, penantian.