dasar

Dasar is a common noun in Indonesian and Malay that means base, foundation, or basis. It can denote the physical bottom or support of something, as well as a figurative foundation such as the underlying principles or core elements of a system, argument, or plan. In everyday language, dasar is often used to refer to the essential nature or fundamental aspects of something.

The term appears frequently in formal and semi-formal contexts. In law and governance, phrases such as undang-undang dasar (constitution), dasar negara (foundational principles of the state), and dasar hukum (legal basis) are widely used to describe the fundamental rules or guiding principles of a country or legal framework. In education and science, dasar ilmu (foundations of science or knowledge) and dasar pengetahuan (basic knowledge) are common expressions that indicate foundational content.

Etymologically, dasar is native to Malay and Indonesian and is part of the core vocabulary shared by these languages. It has a broad semantic range that extends from the literal base of a physical object to abstract foundations of ideas, theories, or institutions. The word also appears in compound terms to form more precise concepts, reflecting its role as a versatile foundational concept in the lexicon of both languages.

See also: constitution, foundation, basis. Examples include dasar hukum, dasar ilmu, and dasar negara, which illustrate how dasar functions as a core element across legal, academic, and political discourse.