The meaning of “besok” in Bahasa Indonesia and Melayu (Malaysian Language) is a fascinating topic that highlights the complexities of time perception and cultural differences. While dictionaries generally translate it as “tomorrow,” the actual meaning can be more nuanced and context-dependent.
One common understanding of “besok” is that it refers to the day after today, similar to the Western concept of “tomorrow.” However, the Indonesian people often use it to describe any event in the future, which can be several days, weeks, or even months away. This ambiguity can lead to misunderstandings, especially when communicating with foreigners who are accustomed to a more precise definition of “tomorrow.”
The meaning of Besok
Maybe the reason why Indonesia has not yet opened the borders could be traced back to the word besok. Let’s take a closer look at the word “besok” and its meaning. The experience with the word besok is absolutely relative, depending on what the context and the situation is.
Every dictionary tells us that besok means tomorrow.
But Besok can be understood in different ways.
One way, and the most commonly used is that besok actually means tomorrow, the day after today, and kemarin means yesterday, the day before today.
But Indonesian people like to describe an event in the past by saying it happened “kemarin” yesterday, even if it was already several days or months ago. The same rule applies to the word “besok”.
Of course, they use the word besok and are actually meaning anytime in the future…
If you want to get a concrete answer, you have to ask more precisely.
For example: Besok, jam berapa? (What time tomorrow?), then you know whether they mean “besok” tomorrow.. or anytime soon…
According to masteringbahasa.com “tomorrow in the Indonesian language also has another meaning. The meaning of “besok” in Indonesia can be a term for future”.
When someone told you “besok”, he means (and it’s not by any bad intention): “in a short time after today, where the length of time is very subjective”.
The general perception of time is linear, and therefore we know tomorrow is the next day, but for many people in this wonderful and diverse world, time has a completely different quality.
For some, it’s a constantly recurring cycle, that means, tomorrow does not exist, and only now (today) actually exists.
The meaning of ‘besok’ in Indonesian can be ambiguous, so it is better to ask for the exact time to be sure.
When you’re talking about tomorrow, you are talking about something that does not yet exist.
Maybe that’s why Indonesia is still in lockdown because it is always “besok”.
For instance, when an Indonesian says “besok,” they might mean “in a short time after today,” where the length of time is subjective and can vary greatly depending on the situation. This perspective on time is different from the linear perception common in Western cultures, where tomorrow is a fixed point in the future.
The ambiguity of “besok” can also be seen in the way it is used to describe past events.
Indonesians often use “kemarin” to refer to yesterday, but they might also use “kemarin” to describe events that occurred several days or months ago. Similarly, “besok” can be used to describe events that will occur in the future, but the exact timing is not always clear.
To avoid misunderstandings, it is essential to ask for more precise information when discussing time-related events. For example, asking “Besok, jam berapa?” (What time tomorrow?) can help clarify whether “besok” refers to the next day or a more distant future.
In conclusion, the meaning of this word in Indonesia and Malaysia is multifaceted and context-dependent, reflecting the cultural and linguistic nuances of the Indonesian people.
While it may seem confusing to outsiders, understanding these differences is crucial for effective communication and avoiding misunderstandings.
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