mengacau

Mengacau is an Indonesian verb meaning to cause trouble, disrupt order, or create chaos. The term typically describes actions that disturb people, processes, or environments, and it is used across formal and informal contexts. In many cases, mengacau carries a negative connotation, signaling intentional or reckless interference with normal functioning or peace.

Linguistic notes: the word is formed with the prefix me- attached to the root acau, which conveys disorder or confusion. The form mengacaukan is a related causative construction meaning “to cause trouble/disorder” something. Related nouns include kekacauan (chaos, mess) and kegaduhan (uproar, commotion), which reflect the broader semantic field of disturbance.

Usage: mengacau can be transitive or intransitive depending on construction. Intransitive usage describes the act of engaging in disruptive behavior: for example, "Dia suka mengacau di kelas" (He likes to cause trouble in class). Transitive usage uses an object: "Mereka mengacau jalannya rapat" (They disrupt the conduct of the meeting). Common collocations include keamanan (security), ketertiban (order), acara (event), and rapat (meeting). In media or political discourse, mengacau often denotes actions intended to destabilize or provoke disorder.

Sociolinguistic notes: the term is widely understood across Indonesian-speaking communities and is generally associated with negative evaluation of the actor or action. It can describe individuals, groups, or situations perceived as disruptive.

See also: kekacauan, kegaduhan, gangguan, menjaga ketertiban.

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