buatan

Buatan is a term used in Indonesian and Malay that denotes something made, manufactured, or artificial. It can function as both an adjective and a noun, referring to objects or systems that result from human creation rather than occurring in nature. As a noun, buatan can mean a manufactured product or a fabrication, as in “produk buatan Jepang” or “itu semua buatan.”

Etymology and usage: Buatan is derived from the verb buat, meaning to make, with the noun-forming suffix -an. The sense of the word can vary with context, from tangible goods to more abstract notions such as plans, designs, or schemes.

Common phrases include buatan tangan (handmade), buatan sendiri (self-made), buatan pabrik (factory-made), and buatan manusia (human-made). In everyday language, the term often contrasts with natural, emphasizing artificial origin. In some contexts, buatan can carry a negative nuance when used to indicate deception or fabrication, as in “ini semua buatan” meaning it is all a fabrication.

In business, design, and technology, buatan highlights manufactured goods and engineered systems. The word is widely understood across Indonesian- and Malay-speaking communities, with minor regional variations in usage but a shared core meaning: something produced through human effort rather than arising naturally.