teranggelap

Teranggelap, sometimes written terang-gelap, is a term in Indonesian and Malay that literally combines terang ('bright, light') and gelap ('dark'). It is used to describe the contrast or interplay between light and darkness and functions in both literal and metaphorical contexts. In everyday language, the expression can describe physical illumination as well as mood or atmosphere.

In literature, poetry, and discourse, teranggelap serves as a dyadic motif that conveys dualities such as knowledge and ignorance, hope and despair, or moral clarity and corruption. It is commonly employed to evoke tension, transition, or ambiguity, signaling shifts from obscurity to understanding or from oppression to liberation.

The concept is widely present across Indonesian- and Malay-speaking cultures, appearing in proverbs, folk narratives, and contemporary media. Its usage often reflects cultural preoccupations with cycles—of day and night, season, or social change—where moments of brightness punctuate periods of darkness.

In modern writing and speech, teranggelap can function as a stylistic device or thematic thread, sometimes appearing in titles or slogans to foreground contrast or transformation. Related linguistic forms include terang-terangan (openly) and other expressions that employ light and dark to convey meaning; however, teranggelap remains distinct in its emphasis on the interplay between illumination and shadow. See also: light and darkness, dualism, metaphor.