langgar

Langgar is a term found in Malay and Indonesian languages with several related meanings. As a verb, melanggar denotes to violate, breach, or infringe a rule, law, contract, or standard. It can also mean to collide with or ram into something, often used for traffic incidents. Examples include melanggar peraturan lalu lintas (to violate traffic rules) or mobil yang melanggar pembatas (the car that hit the barrier). In everyday use, the sense of breaching rules is more common than the sense of physical impact.

Noun forms related to the concept include langgaran, which denotes a violation or breach. In formal contexts, pelanggaran is a widely used noun for offenses or infringements. The verb melanggar takes an agent performing the action, while langgaran or pelanggaran describes the act or its consequence.

Regional usage includes a notable sense in Aceh where langgar refers to a traditional village mosque or prayer house. Langgars in this regional sense are typically simple, small buildings used for daily prayers, religious instruction, and community gatherings, and they can play an important role in local religious life alongside larger mosques.

Origin and scope: the term is rooted in Malay and Indonesian lexicons and is understood across Malay-speaking and Indonesian-speaking communities. Melanggar is common in media, law, governance, and everyday conversation, while the regional sense of langgar as a prayer space reflects local cultural practice.