menutupi

Menutupi is a verb in Indonesian and Malay meaning to cover, to hide, to conceal, or to obscure. The form is built from the root tutup (to close or cover) with the prefix me- and the suffix -i, producing a transitive verb that requires a direct object. The primary sense is physical: to place something over or around another thing to protect, screen, or shield it from view. For example, Ia menutupi luka dengan perban.

A secondary sense is figurative: to conceal information or truth. In this use, menutupi describes actions intended to hide or distort facts, as in government or organizational contexts. Examples include skandal itu menutupi fakta sebenarnya or pihak perusahaan berusaha menutupi kebenaran. The verb can also appear in discussions of transparency, accountability, and ethics.

Grammatical notes: Menutupi takes a direct object (something being covered). The passive form is ditutupi, for example Informasi itu ditutupi oleh pihak berwenang. The word is versatile and can appear in various contexts, from covering physical objects (Kain itu menutupi tubuhnya) to concealing non-physical aspects (menutupi kekurangan).

Etymology and relation: Menutupi derives from tutup (to close/cover) with the Indonesian/Malay word-formation patterns me- and -i. Related terms include menyembunyikan (to hide) and mengaburkan (to obscure), which describe related nuances of concealment and opacity.