imaji

Imaji is a noun in Indonesian and Malay that refers to a mental image, impression, or representation formed in the mind. It can denote both concrete visual images and abstract concepts, and it describes either the result of mental imagery or the act of forming it.

Etymology and usage: The term is related to imajinasi (imagination) and shares roots with other Malay-Indonesian words for image and perception. In linguistic and literary contexts, imaji is often used to discuss imagery in text, speech, and art, sometimes distinguishing concrete imagery from broader imaginative processes.

In practice, imaji appears in cultural studies and media discussions to refer to shared pictures, impressions, or symbolic representations that influence perception of people, places, or cultures. Its sense is context-dependent and can range from sensory pictures to metaphorical or symbolic images. See also: imagery, imagination, image, perception.