Language/Javanese/Grammar/Personal-Pronouns

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Javanese → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Nouns and Pronouns → Personal Pronouns

Introduction

Welcome to the Javanese Grammar lesson on personal pronouns! In this lesson, we will explore the personal pronouns used in the Javanese language and how to use them in sentences to refer to different people or things. Personal pronouns are essential in any language as they allow us to communicate and refer to ourselves and others. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of Javanese personal pronouns and be able to use them confidently in your conversations.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding, this lesson will cover various aspects of personal pronouns, including their forms, usage, and how they relate to Javanese sentence structure. We will also provide plenty of examples and exercises to practice what you learn. Additionally, we will explore any regional variations or historical influences on personal pronoun usage, as well as share interesting cultural facts and anecdotes related to this topic.

Let's dive into the fascinating world of Javanese personal pronouns!

Forms of Personal Pronouns

Javanese personal pronouns are used to replace nouns or noun phrases in a sentence. They reflect the grammatical person, number, and gender of the noun they replace. Unlike English, Javanese personal pronouns have different forms based on the level of formality, politeness, and familiarity. The Javanese personal pronouns can be divided into three categories: first person, second person, and third person.

First Person Pronouns

First person pronouns refer to the speaker or the group the speaker belongs to. In Javanese, there are different forms for singular and plural first person pronouns.

Here are the Javanese first person pronouns:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
Aku	['aku]	I, me (singular)
Kula	['kula]	I, me (formal)
Kita	['kita]	We, us (inclusive)
Kita	['kita]	We, us (exclusive)

In Javanese, "aku" is the most commonly used first person singular pronoun, while "kula" is a more formal or polite alternative. "Kita" is the first person plural pronoun, which can be used to refer to both inclusive and exclusive "we." When used inclusively, "kita" refers to "we" including the listener, while when used exclusively, it refers to "we" excluding the listener.

Let's see these pronouns in action:

• Aku saka Jawa. (I am from Java.)
• Kula pengin ngerti basa Jawa. (I want to learn Javanese.)
• Kita arep mlaku menyang pasar. (We are going to the market.)
• Kita ora bakal nampa sampeyan ing kene. (We won't meet you here.)

Second Person Pronouns

Second person pronouns are used to refer to the person or people being spoken to. Similar to first person pronouns, Javanese second person pronouns also have different forms based on the level of formality and politeness.

Here are the Javanese second person pronouns:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
Sampeyan	[sam'pɛjan]	You (formal)
Kowé	['kəwe]	You (informal)
Kowe	['kəwɛ]	You (informal)

In Javanese, "sampeyan" is the formal second person pronoun, used to show respect and politeness. "Kowé" or "kowe" is the informal second person pronoun, used among friends, family, or people of the same age group. "Kowé" is considered slightly more formal than "kowe."

Let's see these pronouns in action:

• Sampeyan sapa? (Who are you?)
• Kowé saka Manado? (Are you from Manado?)
• Kowe wis takon tetangga? (Have you asked the neighbor?)

Third Person Pronouns

Third person pronouns are used to refer to someone or something that is not the speaker or the listener. Like the first and second person pronouns, Javanese third person pronouns also have multiple forms based on the level of formality and politeness.

Here are the Javanese third person pronouns:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
Iki	['iki]	This, he, she, it
Kene	['kɛnɛ]	Here, he, she, it
Sakumna	[sa'kumna]	There, he, she, it

In Javanese, "iki" is used to refer to someone or something close to the speaker. "Kene" is used to refer to someone or something close to the listener. "Sakumna" is used to refer to someone or something far from both the speaker and the listener.

Let's see these pronouns in action:

• Iki barang anyar. (This is a new item.)
• Kene wong kang bade teka. (Here comes the person you've been waiting for.)
• Sakumna ora ana sing ngerti. (There is no one who understands.)

Usage of Personal Pronouns

Now that we have covered the different forms of Javanese personal pronouns, let's explore how to use them in sentences. Understanding the usage of personal pronouns is crucial for effective communication in Javanese.

Using Personal Pronouns as Subjects

In Javanese, personal pronouns can be used as subjects of a sentence. When a personal pronoun is used as a subject, it replaces the noun that would typically be the subject of the sentence. Let's look at some examples:

• Aku mangan. (I eat.)
• Kula arep nulis. (I am going to write.)
• Kita pindhah menyang kutha. (We are moving to the city.)
• Sampeyan duwe waktu luang? (Do you have free time?)
• Kowé wis takon tetangga? (Have you asked the neighbor?)
• Iki barang anyar. (This is a new item.)

In these sentences, the personal pronouns "aku," "kula," "kita," "sampeyan," "kowé," and "iki" are used as the subjects, replacing the nouns that would represent the same meaning.

Using Personal Pronouns as Objects

Javanese personal pronouns can also be used as objects in a sentence. When a personal pronoun is used as an object, it replaces the noun that would typically be the object of the sentence. Let's see some examples:

• Aku melu menyang pasar. (I am going to the market.)
• Kula ngerti basa Jawa. (I understand Javanese.)
• Kita bakal nampa sampeyan ing kene. (We will meet you here.)
• Sampeyan wis mangan? (Have you eaten?)
• Kowé duwe kabeh sing dadi? (Do you have everything you need?)
• Iki sing tak bali. (This is what I bought.)

In these sentences, the personal pronouns "aku," "kula," "kita," "sampeyan," "kowé," and "iki" are used as objects, replacing the nouns that would have the same meaning.

Using Personal Pronouns with Possessive Pronouns

Personal pronouns can also be used in combination with possessive pronouns to indicate ownership or possession. The possessive pronouns in Javanese agree with the person and number of the noun they modify. Let's see some examples:

• Aku pitungipun. (This is mine.)
• Kula dalanipun. (This is mine.)
• Kita pitungipun. (This is ours.)
• Sampeyan pitungipun. (This is yours.)
• Kowé pitungipun. (This is yours.)
• Iki pitungipun. (This is his/hers/its.)

In these sentences, the personal pronouns "aku," "kula," "kita," "sampeyan," "kowé," and "iki" are combined with the possessive pronoun "pitungipun" to indicate ownership or possession.

Using Personal Pronouns with Verbs

Personal pronouns can also be used with verbs to indicate the subject of the action. In Javanese, verbs are conjugated based on the person and number of the subject. Let's see some examples:

• Aku mangan. (I eat.)
• Kula nulis. (I write.)
• Kita pindhah menyang kutha. (We are moving to the city.)
• Sampeyan mangan. (You eat.)
• Kowé nulis. (You write.)
• Iki mangan. (He/She/It eats.)

In these sentences, the personal pronouns "aku," "kula," "kita," "sampeyan," "kowé," and "iki" are used with verbs to indicate the subject of the action.

Cultural Insights

The usage of personal pronouns in Javanese is influenced by cultural norms and social hierarchies. Javanese society places great emphasis on respect, politeness, and maintaining harmonious relationships. As a result, the choice of personal pronouns can vary based on the formalities and politeness levels required in different social contexts.

In formal or professional settings, it is common to use more polite or formal pronouns like "kula" and "sampeyan" to show respect to superiors or elders. These pronouns reflect the values of deference and hierarchy deeply ingrained in Javanese culture.

On the other hand, when speaking with close friends, family members, or people of the same age group, it is more common to use less formal pronouns like "aku," "kowé," or "kowe." These pronouns reflect a sense of familiarity, intimacy, and equality in relationships.

Understanding and using the appropriate personal pronouns based on the social context is crucial for effective communication and building rapport in Javanese-speaking communities.

Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Below are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of Javanese personal pronouns. Try to answer the questions or complete the sentences using the correct pronouns. Solutions and explanations will be provided afterward.

1. __________ saka Jawa. (I am from Java.) 2. __________ pengin ngerti basa Jawa. (I want to learn Javanese.) 3. __________ arep mlaku menyang pasar. (We are going to the market.) 4. __________ ora bakal nampa sampeyan ing kene. (We won't meet you here.) 5. __________ sapa? (Who are you?) 6. __________ saka Manado? (Are you from Manado?) 7. __________ wis takon tetangga? (Have you asked the neighbor?) 8. __________ mangan. (I eat.) 9. __________ ngerti basa Jawa. (I understand Javanese.) 10. __________ bakal nampa sampeyan ing kene. (We will meet you here.)

Solutions

1. Aku saka Jawa. 2. Kula pengin ngerti basa Jawa. 3. Kita arep mlaku menyang pasar. 4. Kita ora bakal nampa sampeyan ing kene. 5. Sampeyan sapa? 6. Kowé saka Manado? 7. Kowe wis takon tetangga. 8. Aku mangan. 9. Kula ngerti basa Jawa. 10. Kita bakal nampa sampeyan ing kene.

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing the Javanese Grammar lesson on personal pronouns! You have learned the different forms and usage of Javanese personal pronouns, as well as their cultural significance. By using personal pronouns correctly, you can enhance your communication skills and navigate social interactions more effectively in Javanese-speaking communities.

Don't forget to practice using personal pronouns in your conversations to reinforce your learning. The more you practice, the more natural and fluent you will become in using Javanese personal pronouns.

Keep up the great work and continue your journey to mastering the Javanese language!

Table of Contents - Javanese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Sentence Structure

• Subject-Verb-Object
• Questions and Negations

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-10
• Telling Time

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationship Terms

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Food and Drinks

• Common Foods
• Drinks and Beverages

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Adverbs of Manner

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Vocabulary

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Basic Prepositions
• Common Conjunctions

  ---

Javanese Customs and Etiquette

• Politeness Levels
• Social Etiquette

Sources

• Javanese Pronouns

Other Lessons

• Questions
• Descriptive Adjectives
• Possessive Pronouns
• Past Tense
• Gender
• Basic Prepositions
• Conditional Mood
• Plurals
• How to Use Be

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