ongemak

Ongemak is an Indonesian term that refers to an obstacle, hindrance, or inconvenience that complicates or slows a process, plan, or activity. It captures the idea of something that requires extra effort, time, or resources to overcome, rather than a mistake or fault. Ongemak can manifest in a variety of contexts, including daily life, administration, business, or technology.

Etymology and usage context: The word is of Indonesian origin and is commonly understood as the opposite of gemak, which means ease or convenience. The exact historical formation of ongemak is not widely documented in standard references, but it functions as a standalone lexical item in contemporary Indonesian, often used in both formal and informal registers.

Contexts and collocations: Ongemak is often used to describe delays, procedural hurdles, or practical difficulties that hinder progress. It can refer to bureaucratic red tape, logistical delays, technical glitches, or supply chain interruptions. Common collocations include mengatasi ongemak (overcome obstacles) and mengurangi ongemak (reduce inconveniences).

Related terms: Words with similar or related meanings include kendala (constraint or obstacle), hambatan (barrier or hindrance), kesulitan (difficulty), and gangguan (disturbance). While related, ongemak emphasizes the inconvenience or impediment aspect within a process rather than a discrete fault.

Examples:

- Proyek konstruksi mengalami ongemak karena keterlambatan pasokan material.

- Layanan online sering mengalami ongemak teknis pada jam sibuk.

See also: kendala, hambatan, kesulitan, gangguan.