kerja

Kerja is a term used in Indonesian and Malay meaning work, labor, or a job. In Indonesian, it functions as a noun referring to work or a task; the more formal noun for a job or occupation is pekerjaan. The verb form to work is bekerja, while kerja appears in casual speech and in compound expressions such as kerja keras (hard work) or mencari kerja (looking for work). In Malay, the usage mirrors Indonesian, with kerja as both noun and verb, and pekerjaan as the common word for an occupation; phrases like tenaga kerja (the workforce) and serikat pekerja (labor union) are common.

Etymology: The term is native to Malay and Indonesian languages, with cognates in related Austronesian languages. Linguists generally trace the root to Javanese krja, ultimately from Sanskrit kārya or karya, meaning action or work. The word’s lineage reflects historical links among language, trade, and administration in the region.

Usage and context: Kerja covers both everyday and formal contexts of labor. It appears in education, media, and policy discussions as a general concept of work. For more specific meanings, speakers may use pekerjaan for a job or occupation, tenaga kerja for the workforce, and serikat pekerja for labor unions. In everyday speech, kerja is common in phrases like di mana kamu bekerja or bagaimana kerja di perusahaan terakhir kamu, with contextual nuances shaped by formality and region.