menari

Menari is the Indonesian verb meaning to dance. It refers to moving the body rhythmically to music, in a wide range of styles from traditional court dances to contemporary performances. The word is used across Indonesia and in Malay-speaking communities to describe both group and solo dancing, as well as informal social dancing and formal stage performances. In everyday speech, one might say, "Saya menari" or "Dia sedang menari."

Derivation comes from the noun tari (dance) with the verbal prefix me-, and phonological assimilation produces menari. The related noun form for the art is tari, and the agent noun is penari (dancer).

Indonesia has numerous tari, or dances, that reflect regional histories and rituals. Examples include Tari Saman from Aceh, Tari Bedhaya from Central Java, and Tari Pendet from Bali, among many others. Dances may accompany religious ceremonies, weddings, or storytelling, and they are taught in communities, schools, and studios.

In modern contexts, menari also encompasses nontraditional styles such as hip-hop and contemporary dance. Dance education and performances have a visible presence in urban centers, festivals, and television programs, while traditional forms continue to be passed down in local communities.