berkembang

Berkembang is a verb in Indonesian and Malay that means to grow, develop, or flourish. It is used to describe processes that unfold over time, whether in natural, social, or conceptual contexts. The word is formed with the prefix ber- attached to the root kembang, which carries the sense of bloom, growth, or expansion.

Usage is largely intransitive, describing a state or process rather than an action performed by a specific agent. It can refer to plants and living beings as well as abstract things such as economies, cities, cultures, languages, or technologies. Common collocations include berkembang pesat (develop rapidly), berkembang secara alami (develop naturally), and berkembang secara bertahap (develop gradually).

Nuance and contrasts: Berkembang conveys progression, improvement, or widening scope, rather than mere size increase. It often emphasizes a dynamic or transformative process over time. Related verbs include tumbuh, which can be used for growth in a more general sense, and berkembang biak, a compound meaning to reproduce or proliferate, typically used for animals or populations.

In contemporary usage, berkembang appears in discussions of development, modernization, and cultural or linguistic change. Examples: Ekonomi negara itu berkembang pesat. Bahasa Indonesia berkembang seiring dengan kemajuan teknologi. The term thereby functions as a broad, neutral descriptor of ongoing growth across various domains.