mengikut

Mengikut is a Malay verb formed from the root ikut with the prefix me- . In standard Malay, the more common form is mengikuti, while mengikut appears in some dialects or older Indonesian texts as a variant. The core sense across varieties is to move in the same direction as someone else, to obey or adhere to rules, or to imitate and join in an action.

Common meanings include following a person physically, following instructions, or complying with rules; participating in an activity; and imitating or adopting someone’s behavior. For example, mengikut arahan means to follow directions, mengikut peraturan means to comply with regulations, and mengikut contoh means to follow a model or example.

Usage notes: Mengikut is a transitive verb that typically requires an object or a complement introduced by a preposition, such as mengikut seseorang, mengikut arahan, or mengikut peraturan. It can express obedience, voluntary alignment, or emulation, depending on context. The nuance ranges from simple compliance to active imitation.

Regional and historical notes: In Indonesian, the standard form is mengikuti; mengikut may appear in older texts or certain Malay dialects. In modern usage, mengikuti is generally preferred, while mengikut is understood as a variant of the same root meaning.

Examples:

Dia mengikut arahan guru itu.

Mereka mengikut peraturan yang ditetapkan.

Dia mengikut contoh teladan ibu bapanya.