Karya
/ˈkɑːr.jə/noun
A Sanskrit-derived Indonesian and Malay word meaning a work, creation, literary production, or artistic piece.
Did you know?Karya comes from the same Sanskrit verbal root as karma, linking creative work and action through the ancient idea that what you do produces consequences.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kwer-
“To do or make; a reconstructed root associated with purposeful action and production.”
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
kṛ
“To do, make, perform, or accomplish.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
kārya
“To be done, obligatory, an act, deed, work, or result.”
Medieval Sanskrit usage
Sanskrit
kārya
“A work, undertaking, literary composition, or artistic production.”
Modern Indonesian and Malay
Indonesian/Malay
karya
“A work or creation, especially a literary, artistic, or intellectual work.”
Modern English usage
English
karya
“An occasional English borrowing referring to an Indonesian or Malay creative work.”