bosan

Bosan is an Indonesian word that denotes the feeling of boredom or lack of interest resulting from repetition or lack of stimulation. It functions as an adjective, used predicatively to describe a person or situation, as in Saya bosan (I am bored) or Dia bosan menunggu (He is bored waiting). The related noun kebosanan means boredom in general.

The term is widely used in Indonesia and Malaysia within standard Indonesian and Malay language, as well as in informal speech. The origin of bosan is not precisely mapped, but it is a long-established word within the Malay-Indonesian lexicon and has cognates across the region.

Usage and nuance: Bosan typically expresses displeasure with monotony, routine, or protracted waiting, rather than a sudden disappointment. It can be intensified with adverbs such as sangat bosan (very bored) or sudah bosan (already bored). The informal spelling bosen is common in texting and social media, though considered nonstandard in formal writing.

Related terms: jenuh conveys fatigue or being fed up, often from repeated exposure; kebosanan refers to the state of boredom itself; in conversation some speakers use muak in contexts where disgust is stronger.

Note: In Indonesian, bosan should not be confused with stronger emotions like kecewa (disappointed) or marah (angry). It is usually a mild to moderate emotional state.