remeh

Remeh is an adjective used in Indonesian and Malay to describe something as insignificant, trivial, or minor. It refers to matters, actions, or concerns that are considered not to have substantial impact in a given context.

The term is native to Malay and Indonesian linguistic traditions and is widely used across both languages. It often appears in phrases that emphasize low significance, such as hal-hal yang remeh (trivial matters) or perkara remeh (minor issues). A related form, remeh-temeh, is a reduplication that intensifies the sense of triviality.

Remeh commonly occurs with compound nouns or in constructions that compare importance, for example, hal yang remeh versus hal yang penting. It is frequently paired with the verb meremehkan, meaning to belittle or underestimate. In practice, remeh carries a nuance of being not worth serious attention, though its tone can range from neutral to mildly critical depending on context.

In everyday use, remeh appears in media, education, and casual speech when distinguishing between what matters and what does not. It is similar in meaning to sepele, another Indonesian term for something minor, though remeh often conveys a slightly stronger sense of de-emphasis. Understanding the distinction between these synonyms helps in interpreting emphasis and tone in Indonesian and Malay discourse.

See also: meremehkan, sepele, hal-hal remeh.