perbuatan

Perbuatan is a noun in Indonesian and Malay that refers to an action, deed, or conduct carried out by someone. It can describe both ordinary activities and morally evaluated behaviours. In everyday use, phrases such as perbuatan baik (good deed) and perbuatan buruk (bad deed) are common. The term often carries normative connotations, especially when used in moral, religious, or legal discussions, where the consequences of a perbuatan may reflect on character or responsibility.

Etymology and form: Perbuatan is formed from the root buat, meaning to make or to do, with the per- prefix that creates a general noun indicating the act as a unit or phenomenon. The word exists in both Indonesian and Malay, with similar meanings.

Legal and philosophical context: In Indonesian law, phrases like perbuatan melawan hukum define actions that contravene the law, while other perbuatan may be regulated by statute. In Islamic and other religious traditions, the term often intersects with concepts of amal (deed) and niat (intent), where both the action and the intention can influence moral judgment and accountability. In philosophy and ethics, perbuatan is used to discuss responsibility, causation, and the ethics of action.

Cultural usage: Perbuatan appears in literature, journalism, and public discourse as a generic term for human conduct, with emphasis on outcomes and social impact. See also action, deed, conduct.