kost

Kost is a term with several, language-dependent meanings and uses. In German, kost denotes nourishment or provisions, and appears in phrases such as Kost und Logis, meaning meals and lodging provided to someone. In this sense, kost can refer to food or sustenance in a broader, somewhat historical or formal context.

In Dutch, kost has historically been used to mean cost or expense, though modern usage more commonly relies on kosten for costs and prices. The term is now relatively uncommon in everyday Dutch, but may appear in older texts or legal language.

In Indonesian and Malay-speaking contexts, kost (often written kos or kost, and frequently presented as kost-kosan) refers to a type of private rented room or boarding house near universities. It is a common housing option for students and sometimes professionals, typically with shared facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Kost also exists as a surname and can function as a toponym in various regions. As a proper noun, it appears in personal names and place names, separate from its common-language meanings.

Overall, kost is a polysemous word whose interpretation depends on linguistic and regional context. It can refer to food or provisions in German, to historical or legal notions of cost in Dutch, or to a student housing arrangement in Indonesian and Malay-speaking areas, while also functioning as a surname or place name.