bertindak

Bertindak is a Malay- Indonesian verb meaning to take action, to act, or to behave in a certain way. It can describe a person or an organization that actively engages in actions or decisions, and it can also express acting in a specific role, for example bertindak sebagai saksi (to act as a witness).

Etymology and form: Bertindak is formed from the root tindak, which denotes action or a deed, with the prefix ber- indicating a state of performing or undertaking. The verb is generally intransitive, but it can be used with complements or prepositional phrases, such as bertindak untuk melindungi atau bertindak sebagai.

Usage: The term is common in formal and neutral prose, including news reporting and policy discourse, where it describes timely or deliberate action in response to events. In everyday language, alternatives include berbuat (to do something) and beraksi (to act, often in performance or physical action). Bertindak tends to carry the sense of intentional conduct or official action, whereas berbuat emphasizes the act itself and beraksi emphasizes performance or taking part in action.

Examples:

- Pemerintah bertindak cepat untuk menanggulangi krisis.

- Dia bertindak sebagai saksi dalam persidangan.

- Perusahaan bertindak untuk melindungi hak konsumen.

Related terms: tindakan (noun: action), tindakan tegas (firm action), berbuat, beraksi, sikap.

In summary, bertindak describes taking action or behaving in a certain way, with nuance of intentional or official conduct, and is widely used in both Indonesian and Malay contexts.