membalik

Membalik is an Indonesian verb that translates to “to turn back,” “to reverse,” or “to flip.” The root word is “balik,” which itself means “to return” or “to go back.” In Indonesian grammar, the prefix “me–” turns the root into a transitive verb, indicating that the action is performed by the subject on an object. Thus, membalik literally refers to the action of turning or flipping an object from one side to the other.

The word is used in everyday speech and writing to describe a variety of physical movements. For example, “Saya balikkan cangkir ini” means “I will flip this cup.” It can also refer to reversing a direction or route, as in “Mereka membalik arah setelah insiden” – “They reversed direction after the incident.” In a figurative sense, membalik can denote a change in opinion or a reversal of a plan.

In Indonesian media, the term appears often in cooking instructions (membalik makanan), sports commentary (membalik posisi pemain), and navigation contexts (membalik arah kapal). It is also employed in literary works to convey a dramatic shift. The suffix‑abbreviated form “balik” is commonly used in colloquial speech to convey the same basic meaning in a shorter form.