konseptual

Konseptual is an adjective used in Indonesian and Malay to describe anything related to concepts, ideas, or abstraction. It derives from konsep (concept) with the suffix -al, and has been influenced by the English term conceptual as it entered academic and cultural usage in the region.

The term is common in academic discourse, philosophy, design, and education. In philosophy, konsep konseptual refers to questions about the nature of concepts, definitions, and mental constructs. In design and pedagogy, phrases like pendekatan konseptual or pemikiran konseptual emphasize ideas and theories over form or technique.

In the arts, konseptual is linked to conceptual art, known in Indonesian as konseptualisme, which foregrounds ideas, linguistic statements, or concepts as the primary artworks. Indonesian writers and curators may discuss karya konseptual or seni konseptual to describe works where concept takes precedence over visual execution.

Related terms include konsep (concept), konseptualisasi (conceptualization), and konseptualisme (the philosophy or art movement that prioritizes ideas). The term conveys a stance that emphasizes abstraction, theory, or mental constructs, rather than practical or conventional approaches.

In usage, konseptual often appears in discussions about thinking styles, research methods, or artistic strategies, where understanding and developing concepts is central to the process and outcome.