merapatkan

Merapatkan is an Indonesian verb meaning to bring something into closer proximity or to make it more compact and aligned. It can refer to physical arrangements, such as reducing gaps between objects or people, as well as to figurative contexts, such as strengthening cohesion among groups, consolidating resources, or aligning plans and actions. The action implies intentional effort to reduce distance, distance, or divergence.

Etymology: the word comes from rapat, meaning tight or close, and with the prefix me- and the suffix -kan it forms a transitive verb meaning “to cause to be close” or “to bring closer.” It is distinct from the intransitive merapat, which can convey approaching or closing ranks in some contexts.

Usage: common expressions include merapatkan barisan (to close the ranks or bring participants closer together), merapatkan jarak (to narrow the gap between two things), and merapatkan hubungan or merapatkan kerja sama (to consolidate relations or cooperation). In organizational or political discourse, merapatkan barisan often signals coordinated alignment of members or strategies. In physical settings, it can describe actions to ensure components fit tightly together or to make a structure more cohesive.

See also: rapat, merapat, mempererat.