Tertentu

Tertentu is an Indonesian adjective meaning certain or specific. It is used to indicate that the noun it modifies refers to a definite item, person, or concept, as opposed to any generic example of its kind. The word emphasizes that the referent is known, identified, or restricted within a given context.

In usage, the common pattern is noun + tertentu. For example, orang tertentu (a certain person), produk tertentu (a specific product), tujuan tertentu (a particular objective), atau syarat tertentu (certain conditions). This form is frequent in everyday language, media, and formal writing when a subset needs to be singled out without naming it explicitly. The sense can range from general specificity to a clearly identified item defined by prior information.

Etymologically, tertentu is formed with the prefix ter- attached to the root tenter?temu?nten?untu meaning certain. In Indonesian, ter- often marks a state or a definite condition and can convey emphasis on identification within a context. Tertentu can also appear in phrases such as tentu saja (certainly, of course) though in that expression the meaning shifts to affirmation rather than a nominal modifier.

Related terms include tentu (certain, sure) and khusus (special, particular). Tertentu remains distinct in that it typically modifies a noun to denote a subset that is recognized within the discourse, rather than implying general certainty or exclusivity.