tepat

Tepat is a common word in Indonesian and Malay that functions as an adjective or adverb meaning correct, precise, on target, or timely, depending on the context. It conveys that something fits the intended standard, purpose, or moment. Tepat is often used to express suitability or accuracy in relation to time, goals, measurements, or guidance.

In everyday language, tep at appears in several fixed phrases. Tepat waktu means on time or punctual. Tepat sasaran describes hitting the intended target or achieving the desired outcome. Tepat guna refers to something being well suited for its purpose or fit for use. The word can also modify statements to indicate correctness, as in sebuah pernyataan yang tepat (an accurate statement) or lingkungan yang tepat untuk kegiatan tertentu (an appropriate environment for a particular activity).

Etymologically, tepat is native to Malay and Indonesian and is widely attested in both standard and colloquial use. While it shares a semantic field with synonyms such as akurat (accurate) and tepat guna, tepat emphasizes alignment with time, suitability, or the intended aim, rather than purely numerical precision. In formal writing and communication, tepat is often paired with time, targets, or purposes to convey accuracy and timeliness.

See also: on time, precise, accuracy, punctuality.