terkurung

Terkurung is a Malay and Indonesian term describing the state of being confined, locked in, or hemmed in. It functions as an adjective and as the passive form of the verb kurung (to confine, to lock up). The prefix ter- marks a resultant state, so terkurung conveys that someone or something has already been confined.

Usage can be literal or figurative. Literally, it can describe a person detained in a room or cell, or an area surrounded by barriers. Figuratively, it can express restriction by rules, borders, or circumstances, indicating limited freedom or mobility. The expression is common in everyday language across Malay- and Indonesian-speaking communities, including regional varieties such as Malaysian and Singaporean Malay.

Examples of use include: "Dia terkurung di rumah sejak ribut melanda," meaning he has been confined to his house since the storm hit; and "Laman itu terkurung oleh tembok tinggi," referring to being surrounded by high walls. Another sense is freedom being constrained by regulations: "Kebebasannya terkurung oleh peraturan yang ketat."

Related terms include kurung (to confine), mengurung (to imprison), penjara (prison), pengasingan (isolation), pembatasan (restriction), and larangan (prohibition). Terkurung is a general, neutral entry that covers both physical confinement and metaphorical restriction in Malay and Indonesian usage.