murah

Murah is a common adjective in Indonesian and Malay that translates to inexpensive or low in price. It is used to describe the price of goods and services as well as the affordability of everyday items. The term can function attributively (harga yang murah) or predicatively (barang itu murah).

Etymology and usage: The word is native to Malay and Indonesian vocabularies; it expresses relative affordability rather than absolute value. The perception of murah depends on income, context, and comparison, such as relative to other products or to past prices. In different contexts, murah can refer to cost level or to value-for-money when paired with quality expectations.

Economic and cultural aspects: In retail and marketing, murah is a common selling point, with phrases like produk murah or diskon murah used to attract buyers. Price competition is an important feature of many Southeast Asian markets, where bargain-hunters and promotions influence shopping behavior. Government policies and market dynamics can affect perceived affordability and access to essential goods, such as food and fuel.

Limitations and nuance: A low price does not always equate to good value or quality. Consumers may weigh factors such as durability, service, and warranty. The term murah carries social and cultural connotations, sometimes associated with frugality or pragmatic budgeting in households.