akar rumput

Indonesian

Etymology

Compound of akar (“root(s)”) +‎ rumput (“grass”), calque of English grass roots.

Noun

akar rumput

1. (figurative, politics) grass roots: of, or relating to people or society at the local level, particularly in politics, social movements, etc.

Synonyms

• akar umbi (Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore)

Further reading

• “akar rumput” 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.