engajar

Engajar is a verb encountered in Indonesian language primarily as a nonstandard or informal variant of the standard verb mengajar, which means to teach or instruct. The formal and widely accepted form is mengajar; engajar is not typically recognized as a separate entry in standard dictionaries and is generally considered nonstandard in formal contexts.

In terms of formation, engajar can be viewed as a phonetic or typographic variant of mengajar. Indonesian word formation commonly uses prefixes such as meng- to form agentive or causative verbs, and variations in pronunciation or spelling in casual speech or writing can yield engajar in some cases. The root idea remains related to teaching or imparting knowledge.

Usage and register: Engajar appears mainly in informal communication, social media, or casual conversation. In formal writing, education contexts, or official documentation, the correct form mengajar should be used. The related noun pengajar denotes a teacher or instructor, while ajar refers to the act or process of teaching. Engajar should not be confused with pengajar, which has an established lexical meaning separate from the verb form.

Notes on ambiguity: Because engajar is nonstandard, its interpretation can depend on context and reader familiarity. When documenting or teaching Indonesian, it is advisable to use mengajar for accuracy and consistency. See also pengajar, mengajar, ajar.