Language/Javanese/Vocabulary/Introducing-Yourself
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Introducing yourself in any language is a crucial part of communication. In Javanese, it is no different. Whether you are traveling to Java, meeting someone new, or simply want to impress your Javanese friends, knowing how to introduce yourself is a valuable skill.
In this lesson, you will learn how to say your name, age, and where you come from in Javanese. Additionally, you will learn some cultural tips on introductions and interesting facts about the Javanese language.
Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Drinks & Feelings and Emotions.
Basic Introduction
To introduce yourself in Javanese, start with "Sugeng Enjang" (pronounced "soo-gang en-jung"), which means "Good morning". You can use "Sugeng Enjing" (pronounced "soo-gang en-jing") for "Good afternoon" and "Sugeng Dalu" (pronounced "soo-gang dah-loo") for "Good evening".
After greeting, you can say your name by using "Kula agung" (pronounced "koo-lah ah-gung") or simply "Aku" (pronounced "ah-koo") followed by your name. For example, "Kula agung Lisa" or "Aku Lisa" means "My name is Lisa".
Then you can share your age by using "Kula wonten" (pronounced "koo-lah won-ten") which means "I am". For example, "Kula wonten papat-puluh" means "I am forty years old".
Finally, you can share where you come from by using "Kula saking" (pronounced "koo-lah sah-king"), which means "I come from". For example, "Kula saking Amerika" means "I come from America".
Here is an example dialogue:
Sugeng Enjang Kula agung Lisa Kula wonten papat-puluh Kula saking Amerika
Translation:
Good morning My name is Lisa I am forty years old I come from America.
Cultural Tips
When introducing yourself in Javanese, it is important to use the appropriate level of formality based on the context of the situation. For example, in formal situations, it is best to use the polite form of Javanese, which is known as "ngoko baku" (standard language). Meanwhile, in informal settings, people tends to use "ngoko alus" (sweet language) which is considered more relaxed and friendly.
Another cultural tip related to introductions in Java is that name and age are two of the things that people often use to make judgments about a person's character. If you're introduced to someone with a respected name and high age, it is considered a sign of their seniority, which should be respected.
Additionally, Javanese people attach great importance to identity and pride themselves on their heritage. Therefore, they are interested in knowing where people come from, what their family and cultural background is, and often celebrate their ancestors.
Interesting Facts
Javanese is the second most spoken language in Indonesia, after Indonesian. It is the official language of Central Java, Yogyakarta, and East Java provinces in Indonesia. Furthermore, Javanese language has a unique writing system called "aksara Jawa" (Javanese script), which is derived from the Brahmi script.
In Javanese culture, greeting and introductions are considered very important. Besides the greeting phrases, there are some specific terms or expressions that Javanese people use to show respect or humility. For example, when meet someone who seems to hold more power or status, it is common to use a more formal tone, adopt a lower posture, or use phrases like "mohon pamit" (asking permission to leave) when leaving their presence.
Moreover, in Java, age is counted differently from the Western culture. A person is considered one year old when they are born, and their age increments by one at the beginning of each Javanese year. In addition, Javanese year usually begins on Sura month (between September and October) on the Javanese calendar.
Now that you have learned how to introduce yourself in Javanese, you are ready to explore further aspects of the language. The following lessons will help you continue your journey towards mastering the language to the A1 level:
Basic Greetings
Learn the basic Javanese greetings used in everyday conversations, such as saying hello, goodbye, and expressing gratitude.
Sentence Structure
Understand the basic Javanese sentence structure, which follows the Subject-Verb-Object pattern, and learn how to form simple sentences.
Numbers and Time
Learn the Javanese numbers from 1 to 10 and how to use them in everyday conversations. Learn how to tell time in Javanese, including expressing hours, minutes, and seconds.
Nouns and Pronouns
Learn the Javanese personal pronouns and possessive pronouns and how to use them in sentences to refer to different people or things.
Family and Relationships
Learn the Javanese words for different family members and various relationship terms.
Verbs and Tenses
Learn how to conjugate and use Javanese verbs in the present tense to describe actions happening now, and how to conjugate and use Javanese verbs in the past tense to describe completed actions.
Food and Drinks
Learn the Javanese words for various common foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and meats, and different drinks and beverages.
Adjectives and Adverbs
Learn how to use Javanese adjectives to describe the qualities of nouns and use adverbs to describe how actions are performed.
Travel and Transportation
Learn the Javanese words for various modes of transportation and essential travel vocabulary, such as asking for directions, booking accommodations, and navigating public transportation.
Prepositions and Conjunctions
Learn how to use Javanese prepositions to express relationships between words, such as location, time, and direction, and how to use Javanese conjunctions to connect words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.
Javanese Customs and Etiquette
Learn about the different politeness levels in Javanese language and culture, and how to use them appropriately in various social situations. Discover important Javanese social etiquette, such as greetings, gift-giving, and respecting elders.
Other Lessons
- Clothes
- Count from 1 to 10
- Family Members
- Relationship Terms
- Telling Time
- Common Foods
- The 4 Seasons
- Greetings
- Geography
Sources
- Javanese Language Register Practice – Resources for Self ...
- Javanese-English/English-Javanese Dictionary & Phrasebook
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