tertekuk

Tertekuk is a term used in Indonesian and Malay to describe a state of being bent, bowed, or stooped. It can function as an adjective or a verb, applied to people, objects, or living things that have been physically pressed into a bent or lowered posture. The word is common in everyday language and appears in both literal and figurative contexts.

Etymology and form: Tertekuk is formed from the root tekuk, meaning to bend or fold, with the prefix ter- that marks a stative or passive meaning. This yields a sense of “being bent” rather than the act of bending performed by an agent. Related forms in the same verb family include menekuk (to bend something or someone) and tertunduk (to bow one’s head). The ter- prefix helps distinguish states resulting from external influence or exhaustion from actions carried out by an agent.

Usage and nuance: Tertekuk typically conveys a resulting posture due to external pressure, fatigue, or defeat. It can describe physical objects as well as people in both literal and metaphorical senses. In figurative use, it often signals dejection or submission, as in being worn down by circumstances. In formal writing, more precise verbs or phrases may be preferred to convey nuance.

Examples: Pohon itu tertekuk oleh badai. Badan tertekuk oleh kelelahan. Ia tertekuk oleh beban kerja. Secara figuratif: Mereka tertekuk oleh kekalahan, meskipun masih berusaha bangkit.

See also: Tekuk, Menekuk, Tunduk, Tekuk lutut.