tanda

Tanda is a term with multiple meanings across languages and regions. In Indonesian and Malay, tanda means sign, mark, or indicator and is used for ordinary signs as well as signals in speech and writing. The phrase tanda baca refers to punctuation, and tanda tangan means signature, illustrating how tanda functions as the generic word for a sign or marker.

In many Spanish-speaking communities, tanda denotes an informal rotating savings and credit arrangement (ROSCA). Participants contribute a fixed amount on a regular schedule, and in each cycle one member receives the total pot. Tandas are common in Latin America and among diaspora communities; they are typically organized informally and rely on trust among participants, with risks such as default or mismanagement if participants fail to contribute.

In the Philippines, tanda is used in Filipino languages to mean sign or signal, reflecting Spanish influence on the local vocabulary. It can denote indicators, cues, or warnings and appears in everyday speech and writing.

Across these usages, tanda generally refers to an indicator or sign, whether grammatical, financial, or social. It can appear in various compound forms, such as tanda baca (punctuation marks) in Indonesian/Malay or tanda tangan (signature). The exact meaning depends on language and context, ranging from a visual sign to a structured savings practice.