Menghayati

Menghayati is an Indonesian verb describing the process of internalizing, embodying, or living out an idea, value, or tradition. It implies more than intellectual understanding; a person who menghayati something integrates it into thoughts, feelings, and daily behavior, and acts in accordance with it.

Etymology and scope: The word derives from the root hayati (life) with the prefix meng- and suffix -i, forming a transitive verb used across formal and informal contexts. In education, philosophy, religion, and civic discourse, menghayati denotes experiencing and reflecting on concepts so they become part of how a person acts and makes judgments.

Usage: Menghayati is commonly applied to values and norms, such as menghayati nilai-nilai Pancasila, menghayati budaya adat, or menghayati ajaran agama. It is often connected to character development and experiential learning, emphasizing not only knowing about an idea but applying it in interpersonal relationships, work, and community life. In policy and curriculum discussions, menghayati is cited as an objective of character education, aiming to produce individuals who embody certain principles in everyday actions.

See also: The concept is closely related to menjiwai and menginternalisasi, which convey similar ideas of deep, felt integration, though menghayati emphasizes lived experience and praxis as much as cognitive understanding. Overall, menghayati captures the Indonesian emphasis on turning values into lived reality.