balik

Balik is a word in Malay (Bahasa Melayu), Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia), and Filipino (Tagalog) that generally means to return or go back. It functions as a verb and, in many contexts, appears in established phrases. The term is part of a shared Austronesian lexicon, with cognates across these languages.

In Malay and Indonesian, balik is used in everyday speech. Common phrases include balik kampung (to return to one's hometown) and balik modal (to recoup the initial investment). It also appears in directional phrases such as balik arah (to turn back).

In Filipino contexts, balik likewise means to return. It is central to terms like balikbayan, describing a person who returns to the Philippines or who has ties to the homeland, and to the Balikbayan box, a package sent by overseas Filipinos to relatives at home.

Beyond these uses, balik appears in idioms and place names where it is part of compound forms indicating return or reversal. The word remains common in conversation and in media describing travel, migration, and commerce. Related terms include Balikbayan.