rintang

Rintang is a term in Indonesian and Malay that denotes an obstacle or hindrance. It can function as a noun, referring to something that blocks progress, or as a verb meaning to impede or obstruct. In everyday language it is often used alongside related terms such as rintangan and halangan to describe challenges, whether physical, social, or abstract.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from the Malay-Indonesian root rintang, with cognates in other Malay languages. The noun rintangan refers to the concrete obstacle, while rintang as a verb emphasizes the act of blocking or hindering. Halangan or hambatan are more general synonyms for barrier or impediment. In contemporary usage, rintang frequently appears in discussions of resilience, problem-solving, and planning.

Examples and nuances: A river current can rintang a boat, a bureaucratic process can be a rintang to a project, and in literature or education, rintang is often used metaphorically to describe life’s difficulties. The term carries a sense of active obstruction rather than merely a passive obstacle. Regional variations in nuance and frequency of use may exist within Indonesian- and Malay-speaking communities.

See also: rintangan, halangan, hambatan. While rintang is widely understood in many contexts, speakers may choose rintangan for a physical obstacle or halangan for a broader barrier, depending on nuance and register.