jatuh

Jatuh is a common verb in Indonesian and Malay that primarily means to fall or drop. It can describe a physical movement, as in an object falling from a height, or a figurative decline, such as a price, status, or condition decreasing. The term is versatile and can be used both intransitively (Benda jatuh dari meja) and transitively (Harga saham jatuh).

In everyday usage, jatuh appears in many idiomatic expressions and compound phrases. Jatuh cinta means to fall in love. Jatuh tempo refers to the due date for a payment or obligation. Jatuh miskin denotes falling into poverty, whether temporarily or more persistently. Jatuh korban means to fall as a victim or casualty, often in the context of an accident or disaster. Jatuh hukuman is used to say that someone has been sentenced or punished.

Grammatical notes and variations: the prefix ter- can form terjatuh to indicate a completed or accidental aspect, as in kartu saya terjatuh (my card fell). The base verb jatuh is widely understood in both Indonesian and Malay, with regional preferences influencing the exact phrases and collocations. Beyond literal fall, the word also supports broader metaphorical uses, such as falling prices, falling ratings, or falling into a worse situation.

Etymology and scope: jatuh is an indigenous Malay-Polynesian vocabulary item shared by Indonesian and Malay. It conveys the core idea of downward movement and is a foundational term in related expressions and constructions across both languages.