membela

Membela is an Indonesian transitive verb meaning to defend, protect, or advocate for someone or something. It can refer to defending someone physically, protecting rights, or arguing in favor of a position in legal, political, or public contexts.

The word is formed from the root bela with the prefix me-, and it is used with a direct object. The corresponding noun pembela denotes a defender or advocate, while pembelaan refers to the act of defending or justification. In the passive voice, it becomes dibela, describing something that is being defended by someone else.

Common usages include membela hak asasi manusia, membela diri, membela negara, membela klien di pengadilan, or defending a position in a debate. In sports, membela can also mean to defend a goal or a team, and pembela is used for the defender position.

Example sentences illustrate the range of meanings: Tentara membela negara dari serangan. Pengacara itu membela kliennya di pengadilan. Hak asasi manusia dibela oleh lembaga tersebut.

Related terms include pembela (defender or advocate), bela (defense), and pembelaan (defense or justification). The word is common in formal and informal Indonesian, with usage spanning daily conversation, journalism, law, and politics.