biasa

Biasa is a word used in Indonesian and Malay to describe something ordinary, common, or usual. As an adjective, it refers to things that are typical or not special, and can apply to people, objects, events, or experiences. The term conveys a sense of everyday normalcy rather than rarity or exception.

The word appears in several common expressions. Seperti biasa means as usual, indicating that something is happening in its ordinary way. Biasa saja expresses complacency or neutrality, roughly “just ordinary” or “nothing special.” Biasa-biasa saja emphasizes mediocrity or a lack of distinction. In sentences, biasa can modify a noun (makanan biasa, pakaian biasa) or function as a predicative descriptor (Hidupnya biasa).

Regional use and register: Biasa is widely used across Malay-speaking and Indonesian-speaking communities, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore. It is part of everyday, neutral vocabulary and does not carry formal or slang connotations. Its simplicity makes it a versatile term for describing routine conditions, events, or habits in both spoken and written language.

Related forms and notes: The related adverbial form biasanya means “usually” or “typically.” The term is a fundamental element of basic vocabulary in both Indonesian and Malay, functioning to express normalcy in a wide range of contexts without implying exceptional quality. Examples cited reflect common, everyday usage.