agak

Agak is an adverb used in Malay and Indonesian to indicate a moderate degree or approximation. It can be translated as somewhat, fairly, or roughly, and is used to hedge statements or express estimation. Before adjectives or adverbs, it softens assertion: for example, "agak panas" means somewhat hot, and "agak mahal" means rather expensive. It can also modify verbs or clauses to convey a degree of uncertainty: "agak terlambat" (somewhat late) or "agak sulit dipahami" (somewhat difficult to understand).

In usage, agak is common in both formal and informal contexts. It helps convey nuance without asserting something too strongly, and it often appears in everyday speech, journalism, and writing. It is distinct from terms that express precise quantity or proximity: "sekitar" (approximately for numbers) and "hampir" (almost). Synonyms or near-equivalents in everyday language include lumayan, cukup, or sedikit, though each carries its own shade of meaning.

Etymology for agak is not well documented, but it is generally treated as a native element of Malay and Indonesian. The construction and semantics are similar across both languages, with only minor dialectal differences in usage or preference. Overall, agak functions as a versatile softener of statements, enabling speakers to express estimation and modest uncertainty without committing to exact facts.