penahan

Penahan is a term used in Indonesian and Malay that refers to something that restrains, blocks, or holds back. As a noun, it denotes a barrier, restraint, or device designed to prevent movement or passage. The word is formed from the root tahan, meaning to hold or withstand, with the prefix pe- to create an agent noun.

In engineering and construction, penahan often denotes retaining structures or barriers that hold back soil, water, or other materials. Common phrases include penahan tanah (earth retaining wall), penahan gelombang (wave barrier), and penahan api (firebreak or barrier to slow fire spread). In architectural and everyday contexts, it can describe objects that stop or cushion movement, such as penahan pintu (door stop) or penahan kaca (glass stop bead). In agricultural or environmental settings, penahan may refer to windbreaks or shelterbelts that protect crops from wind.

As a person, penahan can occasionally function as an agent noun meaning a person who restrains or guards, though this usage is less common in everyday speech; more precise terms like pengawal (guard) are typically used for people.

Related terms in Indonesian and Malay include penghalang or penghadang (obstacle or barrier), halangan (hindrance or obstacle), and pagar or dinding penahan (fence or retaining wall).

In summary, penahan is a versatile term for items or concepts that prevent movement, provide retention, or offer restraint, with broad use across technical, architectural, and everyday language.