jebak

Jebak is a word in Indonesian and Malay that refers to a device or situation designed to capture or ensnare something or someone. As a noun, it denotes a trap or snare, and as a verb it means to trap or to ensnare. The word is commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts.

Etymology and related forms: Jebak is native to Malay and Indonesian. It forms with various affixes to express related ideas, including terjebak (to be trapped), jebakan (a trap or pitfall), menjebak (to trap or ensnare), and penjebak (a trapper or one who traps). These derivatives cover both the act and the state of entrapment.

Usage: In literal terms, jebak can describe physical traps used in hunting or security systems. In figurative language, it appears in discussions of scams, restrictive situations, or deceptive schemes. Examples include terjebak dalam jebakan ekonomi or jebakan harga, meaning to be trapped by financial or price-related traps. The term is common in everyday speech as well as journalism and writing when describing entrapment or pitfalls.

See also: terjebak; jebakan; menjebak; penjebak.