serem

Serem is an Indonesian adjective used to describe something creepy, eerie, or unsettling. It operates as a more informal, colloquial variant of the standard word seram, which also means frightening or scary. In everyday speech, serem often conveys a sense of mild to moderate fear or an atmosphere that feels off or unsettling.

Etymology and usage context: Serem developed as part of informal Indonesian speech and is widely understood across regions. While seram tends to be the standard term in formal writing or media, serem is common in casual conversation, online discourse, and youth culture. The distinction between the two is not fixed, but serem is generally perceived as less formal and more conversational.

Typical applications include describing atmospheres, places, or scenes that give a chill, such as a dark house, a tense scene in a film, or a spooky vibe at a party. Common intensifiers in everyday use include serem banget or serem parah to emphasize how creepy something feels.

Cultural notes: Serem is a stable part of Indonesian slang and is frequently heard in films, television, and social media, where speakers may prefer it for its punchy, spoken style. In Malay-language contexts, the standard form seram is more common, while locais in Indonesia may favor serem in casual speech.

See also: seram, horor, menakutkan.