menekuk

Menekuk is a verb in Indonesian and Malay that means to bend, fold, or flex something into a curved or lowered position. It is commonly used to describe physically bending body parts, such as the knees, neck, or back, as well as bending or folding objects like paper or metal. The prefix me- attaches to the base form tekuk, forming the active verb; the corresponding passive form is ditekuk, meaning “was bent” or “has been bent.” The term can function transitively when specifying what is being bent (for example, the knees) and may also appear in intransitive constructions when the context is understood.

Etymology and related forms: Menekuk derives from the Indonesian root tekuk with the prefix me-, a common pattern for active verbs in both Indonesian and Malay. Related forms include tekuk (to bend), ditekuk (was bent), and penekuk (one who bends, an agent noun, though usage varies by dialect).

Usage notes: Menekuk is widely used across formal and informal registers. It is often contrasted with other bending or folding verbs such as membengkokkan or melengkungkan, which emphasize creating a curve rather than simply bending to a position. The word can describe both bodily actions and alterations to objects.

See also: tekuk, ditekuk, membengkokkan, melengkungkan.

Overall, menekuk serves as a standard, versatile term for bending or folding actions in everyday Indonesian and Malay.