patuh

Patuh is a term used in Indonesian and Malay that describes someone or something that is obedient, compliant, or dutiful. It conveys conformity to rules, norms, or authority, and is applied in various contexts such as law, education, workplaces, and religious life. As a descriptor, patuh characterizes behavior that follows expectations rather than challenging them.

Grammatically, patuh functions as an adjective. The related verb is mematuhi, meaning to comply or to obey. Noun forms include kepatuhan (the state of being compliant or obedient) and patuhan (the act or condition of obedience) as well as ketaatan or ketaatan, which emphasize obedience more strongly. In nuance, patuh and taat are similar, but taat often carries a more religious or moral emphasis.

Usage examples include: in Indonesian, "Masyarakat patuh membayar pajak" (the public complies with paying taxes), "Perusahaan patuh pada regulasi keselamatan," or "Kepatuhan terhadap hukum wajib dijaga." In Malay, one may say "Warga patuh kepada undang-undang" (citizens comply with the law). Patuh is common in formal discourse, policy language, and everyday speech, and it is frequently paired with phrases like terhadap peraturan, pada aturan, or terhadap hukum.

See also terms such as kepatuhan, ketaatan, and mematuhi for related concepts.