Tusuk

Tusuk is a word used in Indonesian and Malay that centers on piercing or stabbing. It functions as both a verb and a noun, with related forms such as menusuk (to stab), ditusuk (was stabbed or pierced), and tusukan (the act or instance of stabbing). The term is widespread across Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore.

In everyday language, tusuk can refer to the act of piercing with a pointed object as well as to the instrument used for piercing. For example, a skewer used to grill meat is called a tusuk sate, and a toothpick is commonly referred to as tusuk gigi. The noun sense can also describe a puncture or wound, depending on context.

The word also appears in idiomatic expressions. Menusuk hati means to pierce the heart, i.e., to deeply wound someone emotionally, while diterusuk or ditusuk can describe an object being pierced or an injury occurring. In passive voice, ditusuk is used to indicate that someone or something has been pierced or stabbed.

Usage notes emphasize context: tusuk covers culinary skewers, dental picks, and the physical act of stabbing or piercing, as well as metaphorical piercing in expressions. While the core idea is piercing, the specific meaning shifts with accompanying words, making context important for correct interpretation.