Menjauhi

Menjauhi is an Indonesian verb meaning to distance oneself from or to avoid someone or something. It expresses deliberate avoidance or distancing, whether in a physical sense (keeping away from a place) or a figurative sense (avoiding a habit, person, or situation).

Usage and nuance: Menjauhi is typically transitive, with the thing being avoided as its object. Common usages include menjauhi bahaya, menjauhi kebiasaan buruk, menjauhi orang yang tidak disukai, or menjauhi situasi berisiko. In some contexts, speakers use menjauhi dengan dari or menjauhkan diri dari, but the simple form menjauhi mengisyaratkan tindakan menjaga jarak from the object.

Etymology and related forms: The word derives from the root jauh (far) with the prefix meN- and the suffix -i, yielding a verb that means to cause distance to be kept or to avoid. Related forms include menjauhkan (to distance something or someone) and menjauhkan diri (to distance oneself). The term is distinct from menghindari, which more often denotes avoidance of contact or confrontation rather than physical or emotional distance.

Usage notes: Menjauhi often carries a sense of intentional discipline or safety, such as keeping away from dangerous situations or steering clear of negative influences. It can appear in formal and informal language and is common in safety, health, and moral contexts.

See also: menghindari, menjauhkan, mengelakkan, menjaga jarak.