membalikkan

Membalikkan is a Indonesian verb meaning to flip, turn over, or reverse something, often with the sense of causing a change in position or state. The form is created from the root balik with the prefix me- and the suffix -kan, yielding a transitive, causative action. It conveys that the subject makes the object undergo a turning or reversal.

The term is used for both physical and figurative contexts. Physically, membalikkan describes turning an object so its other side becomes visible or the orientation changes, such as membalikkan kartu, membalikkan halaman buku, or membalikkan selembar kertas. Metaphorically, it expresses reversing a situation or condition, as in membalikkan keadaan ekonomi, membalikkan posisi seseorang, or membalikkan fakta. In more critical or evaluative uses, membalikkan fakta can imply twisting or presenting information in a way that reverses its meaning.

Usage notes include the transitive nature of the verb: the object is the thing being turned or reversed, while the subject performs the action. Related terms include balik (the base noun or verb meaning to return or turn) and membalik (a related form without the –kan suffix). While commonly neutral, membalikkan can carry negative connotations when applied to facts or truth, depending on context.