terkawal

Terkawal is an Indonesian and Malay adjective meaning under control, guarded, or monitored. It is used to describe conditions, processes, or emotions that are being managed or overseen to maintain order, safety, or stability. The term can apply to public situations, security operations, and personal states, reflecting a sense that external measures or deliberate management have kept things within defined bounds.

Etymology and formality: Terkawal originates from the root kawal, meaning to guard or monitor, with the prefix ter- indicating a state or condition resulting from an action. As an adjective, terkawal functions predicatively or pre-posed to describe a subject, often without an explicit agent. The word appears in both formal and everyday Indonesian and Malay, though nuance may shift slightly with context.

Usage and contexts: In public and emergency contexts, terkawal describes scenarios kept within safe or expected limits, such as a situation or area being under control: "Situasi terkawal setelah intervensi petugas." In security or event management, it can refer to processes that are regulated or monitored: "Lalu lintas terkawal selama kunjungan pejabat." In personal usage, it can refer to self-regulation: "Saya tetap terkawal meskipun situasinya menekan." The term is often contrasted with terms like terkendali (more formal control) or terawasi (supervised).

Nuance and related terms: Terkawal emphasizes maintained stability through monitoring or guarding, whereas terkendal i tends to focus on control by systems or authorities, and terjaga emphasizes safety or vigilance. See also kendali, pengawasan, pengendalian for related concepts.