laput

Laput is a term used in Indonesian and Malay to describe a person who is gullible or credulous, easily deceived or misled. As an adjective it characterizes susceptibility to convincing arguments, misinformation, or scams; as a noun it can refer to a gullible person. In everyday language, laput commonly carries a mildly pejorative tone and is most often found in informal speech, literature, and media.

Etymology and history of the term are not definitively established. It is attested in Malay- and Indonesian-language sources dating from the colonial era onward, appearing in both casual conversation and regional writing. Because laput is a colloquial label, it is generally avoided in formal discourse, though it remains widely understood across Malay-speaking communities.

Usage notes include frequent expressions such as orang laput (a gullible person) or bertindak sebagai orang laput (to act as a gullible person). Related phrases convey similar meanings, including mudah percaya (easily believe) and mudah tertipu (easily deceived). In contemporary discourse, laput is sometimes referenced in discussions about misinformation and critical thinking, but it should be used with care to avoid insulting listeners.

Examples:

Dia terlalu laput untuk menilai iklan tersebut secara obyektif. Translation: He is too gullible to assess the advertisement objectively.