Terjepit

Terjepit is an Indonesian term used to describe being squeezed, pinched, or stuck in a tight space, as well as being caught in difficult circumstances. It can refer to physical entrapment as well as figurative situations where a person feels constrained or pressed by external factors.

Etymology and usage notes: The word terjepit is formed from the verb jepit (to pinch or clamp) with the prefix ter-, which in Indonesian marks a state resulting from an action or from a passive condition. As a stative or passive participle, terjepit typically describes the subject in a moment of constraint rather than an active action performed by it.

Physical usage: Terjepit is commonly used to describe bodies or objects occupying a narrow space. Examples include being terjepit between two cars in heavy traffic, terjepit di pintu karena terlalu sempit, or terjepit di antara kursi saat mencoba lewat.

Figurative usage: The term is also widely used to express metaphorical squeeze, such as terjepit oleh keadaan, terjepit masalah keuangan, or terjepit waktu karena banyak tugas. In these contexts, terjepit conveys a sense of pressure, lack of freedom, or limited options.

Related terms: Tertekan (pressured), terperangkap (trapped), tersudut (cornered), and terikat (bound). While related, these terms carry distinct nuances of pressure, entrapment, or constraint.

In usage, terjepit remains a neutral descriptor suitable for everyday speech, journalism, and literature, employed to depict both physical entrapment and challenging situations without assigning intentional action to the subject.