Language/Javanese/Vocabulary/Animals

Javanese Vocabulary - Animals

Hi Javanese learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about the different animals in Javanese. We will also take a look at the cultural significance of some of these animals in Java. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to name and describe several animals in Javanese.

Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Fruits, Count from 1 to 10, Common Foods & Relationship Terms.

Basic Vocabulary

Before we move on to the animals, let's first take a look at some basic vocabulary related to animals.

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
sesambet	sæsambet	animal
tembe	tɛmbɛ	mammal
kinca	kiɲʧa	bird
kolot	kɔlot	reptile
lipas	lipas	insect
ako	aku	fish

Mammals

In Java, mammals are highly valued for their usefulness to humans. Here are a few common mammals in Javanese culture.

Cat

Cats are known as "kucing" in Javanese. They are highly valued for their ability to catch rats and snakes. In Javanese culture, cats are seen as mysterious and sometimes even spiritual animals.

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
kucing	kɤʧɪŋ	cat
kucing liar	kɤʧɪŋ liar	wild cat
kucing betina	kɤʧɪŋ bɛtina	female cat
kucing jantan	kɤʧɪŋ ɟantən	male cat

Dialogue

• Person 1: Kucing iki wani uga tindak ikan. (This cat likes to chase fish.)
• Person 2: Ora kaget, kucingku uga mlayu karo ikan. (Not surprised, my cat also plays with fish.)

Cow

Cows are known as "sapi" in Javanese. They are highly valued for their milk, meat, and strength. In Javanese culture, cows are seen as symbols of prosperity and are often featured in traditional dances.

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
sapi	sapi	cow
banteng	bantɛŋ	wild ox
sapita jantan	sapi ta ɟantən	bull
sapiwa	sapiwa	buffalo

Dialogue

• Person 1: Sapi iki gede banget. (This cow is really big.)
• Person 2: Iya, aku cepet keliru karo sapine lan banteng. (Yeah, I sometimes get confused between cows and wild oxen.)

Elephant

Elephants are known as "gajah" in Javanese. They are highly respected in Javanese culture for their strength and intelligence. Elephants are often featured in Javanese art and mythology.

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
gajah	gadʒah	elephant
gajah putih	gadʒah putih	white elephant
gajah jantan	gadʒah ɟantən	male elephant
gajah betina	gadʒah bɛtina	female elephant

Dialogue

• Person 1: Mbahmu pernah lihat gajah di hutan? (Have your grandparents ever seen an elephant in the forest?)
• Person 2: Iya, mereka cerita ke aku kalau gajah iku kuwat banget. (Yes, they told me that elephants are really strong.)

Birds

Birds are highly valued in Javanese culture for their beauty and their songs. Here are a few common birds in Javanese culture.

Chicken

Chickens are known as "ayam" in Javanese. They are often kept for their meat and their eggs. In Javanese culture, chickens are also used in traditional rituals.

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
ayam	ajam	chicken
ayam jago	ajam dʒago	rooster
ayam betina	ajam bɛtina	hen
ayam kate	ajam katɛ	bantam chicken

Dialogue

• Person 1: Ayam iki kuwi arep cepet nangis. (This chicken is about to cry.)
• Person 2: Waduh, mungkin takon adoh. (Uh-oh, maybe it's hungry.)

Peacock

Peacocks are known as "merak" in Javanese. They are highly valued for their beauty and their feathers are often used in traditional Javanese dances.

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
merak	mɛrak	peacock
ekor merak	ɛkor mɛrak	peacock feathers

Dialogue

• Person 1: Balekno aku ekor merak iki muji kucit. (Bring me this peacock feather to praise my cat.)
• Person 2: Apik tenan, kucitmu bakal seneng (That's great, your cat will be happy.)

Reptiles

Reptiles are often feared in Javanese culture, but they are still highly respected for their strength and survival instincts. Here are a few common reptiles in Javanese culture.

Snake

Snakes are known as "ular" in Javanese. They are often feared for their venom, but in Javanese culture, they are also associated with medicine and healing.

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
ular	ular	snake
ular pitik	ular pitik	grass snake
ular sawa	ular sawa	python
ular weling	ular wɛliŋ	cobra

Dialogue

• Person 1: Aku takut banget ular. (I'm really scared of snakes.)
• Person 2: Jangan takut, dalam budaya kita, ular juga bisa menjadi obat. (Don't be afraid, in our culture, snakes can also be used as medicine.)

Turtle

Turtles are known as "kura-kura" in Javanese. They are often seen as symbols of long life and perseverance.

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
kura-kura	kura-kura	turtle
kura-kura darat	kura-kura darat	land turtle
kura-kura air	kura-kura air	sea turtle

Dialogue

• Person 1: Kura-kurane kok lucu ya, bentuknya seperti topi kupluk. (The turtle is so cute, like a beanie.)
• Person 2: Iya, bentuknya memang unik dan lucu. (Yes, their shape is really unique and cute.)

Insects

Insects are often overlooked in Javanese culture, but they are still respected for their roles in the environment. Here are a few common insects in Javanese culture.

Bee

Bees are known as "lebah" in Javanese. Honey is a highly valued product in Javanese culture, and bees are important for pollinating plants.

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
lebah	lɛbah	bee
madu	madu	honey

Dialogue

• Person 1: Mbahku suka banget madu lebah. (My grandpa really likes honey from bees.)
• Person 2: Wah, emang enak banget. (Wow, it's really delicious.)

Butterfly

Butterflies are known as "kupu-kupu" in Javanese. They are often seen as symbols of beauty and transformation.

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
kupu-kupu	kupu-kupu	butterfly
kepik	kɛpik	moth

Dialogue

• Person 1: Wilujeng sonten, kupu-kupune warnane apik. (Good afternoon, the butterfly's color is beautiful.)
• Person 2: Iya, aku iku suka ayu banget kale (Yes, I think it's really pretty too.)

Conclusion

In this lesson, we learned about the different animals in Javanese. We saw that animals are highly valued in Javanese culture for different reasons, and sometimes even have spiritual significance. To practice your Javanese language skills with native speakers, check out Find native speakers and ask them any questions! Don't forget to also check out the Javanese Vocabulary page for more words and phrases.

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➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics: How to Say Goodbye in Javanese, Say Hello and Greetings in Javanese, Drinks and Beverages & Family Members.

Other Lessons

• Geography
• Clothes
• The 4 Seasons
• Drinks
• Feelings and Emotions
• Education
• Colors
• How to say Good Bye?
• Count to 10
• Family

Sources

• Online flashcards for learning Javanese vocabulary
• I Love Animals English - Javanese, by Jerry Greer | Tertulia
• Learn Javanese language online with games and flashcards