likod

Likod is a lexical term found in several Austronesian languages, most notably Indonesian and Tagalog, where it functions primarily as a noun and a verb describing the posterior or the reverse side of an object or being.

In Indonesian, likod can appear in compound forms such as 'punggung' (the back of a body) or in phrases like 'lihat di likod' (look at the back). Although not as common as 'punggung' or 'belakang', it is understood in colloquial contexts to refer to the rear side of vehicles, furniture, or people. The word derives from the root 'lik', which historically signified 'behind' or 'back'.

In Tagalog, likod directly means the back or the backside of a person, animal, or object. It is used in everyday expressions such as 'may likod ang aso’ (the dog has a back) or idioms like 'hulog mula sa likod na bituin' (fell from behind a star). The term also appears in compound words such as 'likod-dagat' (backwater) and in figurative usage indicating something coming from behind or secret.

The term has spread into other Philippine languages through loanwords, maintaining similar meaning structures. In both languages, likod often appears in non-technical contexts, whereas formal or written documents may prefer synonyms like 'punggung' or 'belakang' in Indonesian and 'palad' or 'kanyakan’ in Tagalog.

Because of its straightforward semantic content and cross‑linguistic presence, likod is a useful example of how Austronesian languages preserve spatial terms in everyday speech while allowing for multiple lexical options.