butuh

Butuh is a common Indonesian verb meaning to need or require. It is used to express a demand for something or a necessity in a given situation, and appears in everyday speech as a predicative complement after a subject, typically followed by a noun phrase such as "butuh bantuan" (need help) or "butuh waktu" (need time). In more formal contexts, the related verb membutuhka n (or membutuhkan) and the synonym memerlukan are used to convey a similar sense.

The word also yields the related noun "kebutuhan," which denotes a need or requirement in a more abstract or general sense. For example, "kebutuhan dasar manusia" means basic human needs. This noun form is widely used in academic, policy, and planning language to discuss necessities across individuals or populations, such as "kebutuhan energi" (energy needs) or "kebutuhan aksesibilitas."

Usage notes and variations: butuh is versatile in tone. In informal speech, speakers commonly say "saya butuh bantuan" or "kamu butuh apa?"; in formal writing or careful speech, "membutuhkan" or "memerlukan" is preferred. Negation can be expressed as "tidak butuh" or "tidak membutuhkan," with the latter being more common in formal or written Indonesian. The phrase structure typically remains "butuh" plus a noun phrase, though the verb can be conjugated in extended forms such as "membutuhkan" to emphasize the act of requiring.

Overall, butuh functions as a core verb for expressing needs, with "kebutuhan" as its noun counterpart and "membutuhkan" as a formal alternative.