andalan

Andalan is an Indonesian term meaning something or someone that is relied upon; a mainstay, staple, or dependable element. The word can function as a noun or an adjective. As a noun, it designates a person, object, or resource considered indispensable or trustworthy, such as an orang andalan (a key person) or an andalan perusahaan (a company's mainstay). As an adjective, it describes reliability or trustworthiness, e.g., produk andalan meaning a flagship or best-known product.

Origin and usage: Andalan is native to Indonesian and Malay linguistic ecosystems and is formed with the noun-forming suffix -an, indicating a thing that embodies the quality described by the root. Its usage spans formal and colloquial contexts, including business, media, and policy discourse, where it often signals stability, consistency, or strategic importance.

Common contexts: In business, produk andalan refers to flagship products or stable revenue drivers. In organizational language, orang andalan refers to trusted leaders or specialists whose expertise is essential to operations. In households, andalan keluarga may denote a primary breadwinner or trusted support.

Notes: The concept aligns with similar terms in other languages such as mainstay, linchpin, or dependable resource. In Indonesian dictionaries, andalan is defined as something or someone relied upon or used as a standard reference.

See also: Dependability, Mainstay, Flagship product, Reliable person.