latar belakang

Indonesian

Etymology

Compound of latar (“(back)yard”) +‎ belakang (“back”), calque of Dutch achtergrond (“background”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈlatar bəˈlakaŋ]

Noun

latar belakang (uncountable)

1. background:
   1. context: a part of the picture that depicts scenery to the rear or behind the main subject.
   2. history: information relevant to the current situation about past events.
2. background music: any music in a film, video game or other medium that establishes mood and is not meant to have the audience's focus.
3. motive: a reason for a behaviour.

   Synonym: motif

Derived terms

• dilatarbelakangi
• melatarbelakangi

 

Further reading

• “latar belakang” in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Jakarta: Agency for Language Development and Cultivation – Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, 2016.