tersentuh

Tersentuh is an Indonesian word that describes the feeling of being emotionally moved or touched by something, such as a kind act, a meaningful story, or a poignant moment. It is used to express empathy, sympathy, or a gentle emotional impact.

The term is formed from the verb sentuh (to touch) with the affix ter-, which in Indonesian often marks a passive or experiential state. Thus, tersentuh conveys a situation in which one has been touched emotionally, rather than a literal act of touching.

In usage, tersentuh appears in everyday speech, journalism, literature, and online communication. It is commonly paired with personal experiences or public acts of generosity, for example: "Saya tersentuh oleh kebaikan mereka" or "Cerita itu membuat saya tersentuh." It can be contrasted with more intense or overt emotional states such as haru (being deeply moved) or terkesan (being impressed).

Related terms include menyentuh, which can mean to touch physically or to affect emotionally, and terharu, which more directly conveys being deeply moved or overwhelmed. Tersentuh tends to foreground a gentle, humane emotional response rather than a dramatic reaction.

In Malay-language variants, the form and meaning are largely similar, reflecting the close relationship between Indonesian and Malay vocabulary and usage. Overall, tersentuh functions as a modest, versatile descriptor of emotional resonance in social and cultural contexts.