tenaga

Tenaga is a Malay word meaning energy, power, force, or manpower. In Indonesian, a related term with the same range of meanings is used in similar contexts. The word functions as a general noun for both physical energy and the capacity to perform work, and it is widely used across everyday language and technical fields.

In everyday usage, tenaga appears in many compound expressions. Examples include tenaga kerja (the workforce), tenaga pengajar (teaching staff), and tenaga ahli (subject-matter experts). It is also used to describe energy resources or conversions, such as tenaga elektrik (electric energy) and other forms of energy.

In science and engineering texts, tenaga is the standard term for energy, used in discussions of work, power, kinetic energy, and related concepts within Malay- and Indonesian-language literature. It serves as the common linguistic bridge for physical and applied discussions of energy and capability.

The term also features in organizational names and branding. The best-known example is Tenaga Nasional Berhad, the Malaysian national electricity utility, whose name uses tenaga to mean energy. The company is a government-linked corporation responsible for electricity generation and distribution in Malaysia and is commonly abbreviated TNB.