benar

Benar is a common word in Indonesian and Malay that denotes truth, accuracy, or correctness. It is used as an adjective to describe statements, information, or phenomena that align with reality, and as an adverb in compounds such as benar-benar meaning really or truly. In everyday speech, speakers use it to affirm the veracity of a claim, as in itu benar (that is true) or berita ini benar (this news is true).

Grammatically, benar can stand alone as an adjective or modify a noun. The related abstract concept is kebenaran in Indonesian and Malay, meaning truth or veracity. The word also participates in various fixed expressions and collocations common to both languages, such as informasi yang benar, fakta yang benar, or pernyataan yang benar.

Benar contrasts with salah (wrong) and is used across formal and informal contexts, including education, media, and law, to indicate factuality or correctness. In addition to its primary meaning, benar is used for emphasis in phrases like benar-benar to intensify adjectives or verbs, roughly 'truly' or 'indeed'.

Phonology and usage notes indicate that, in standard Indonesian and Malay, the pronunciation is generally consistent, and the spelling remains benyar across both languages. While the connotations may vary slightly by region, the core meaning—truth or correctness—remains stable across Malay-speaking and Indonesian-speaking communities.