Language/Javanese/Vocabulary/Count-to-10

Javanese Vocabulary - Count to 10

Hi Javanese learners! 😊

In this lesson, we will learn to count from one to ten in Javanese language. Counting is an essential part of learning a new language, and it will help you with almost everything from asking for directions to buying things at the market. So let's get started!

Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Fruits, Count from 1 to 10, Health & Travel Vocabulary.

Cardinal Numbers

Cardinal numbers are the basic numbers needed for counting.

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
siji	/siːdʒi/	One
loro	/lɔːrɔ/	Two
telu	/tɛluː/	Three
papat	/papæt/	Four
lima	/lima/	Five
nem	/nɛm/	Six
pitu	/pitʊ/	Seven
wolu	/wəluː/	Eight
sanga	/saːŋa/	Nine
sepuluh	/səpuluːh/	Ten

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers give order to things or people in a list.

To create ordinal numbers in Javanese, add the suffix -ing to the relevant cardinal number. For example, first is siji (one), so first in Javanese is siji-ing.

Here are some examples of ordinal numbers in Javanese:

Javanese	English
siji-ing	First
loro-ing	Second
telu-ing	Third
papating	Fourth
kelima-ing	Fifth
nenem-ing	Sixth
pitung	Seventh
wolung	Eighth
panggalih	Ninth
kesepuluh	Tenth

Now, let's look at a dialogue that uses ordinal numbers:

• Person 1: Ning saminggu aku takon marang siji-ing bocah ('ning 'samɪŋ.gu 'a.ku 'ta.kɔn 'ma.raŋ 'siː.dʒi.ɪŋ 'bɔ.tʃa.ha) (Last week, I asked to the first kid)
• Person 2: Op linga telung wulan ago-ago ('o.pə 'liŋ.ga 'tɛ.lʊŋ 'wu.lan 'a.go-a.go) (On Wednesday, three months ago)

Counting Objects

When counting objects, we use the Javanese word 'tuku'. Just add the cardinal number after 'tuku' to say how many things there are.

Here are some examples:

• Papan tuku papat ('pa.pan 'tu.ku 'pa.pat) - Four boards
• Susu tuku telu ('su.su 'tu.ku 'tɛ.lu) - Three milk bottles
• Ban tuku lima ('ban 'tu.ku 'li.ma) - Five tires

Let's create a dialogue to see the word 'tuku' (Javanese for 'unit of measurement') in context.

• Person 1: Ki, ndi pedagangeki ('ki 'ndi 'pa.da.ŋan.ge.ki) (Sir, are you a merchant?)
• Person 2: Iya, pindho kempling tuku telu ('i.ja 'pin.dʰɔ 'kɛm.pliŋ 'tu.ku 'tɛ.lu) (Yes, have three kempling [traditional Javanese food] )

Cultural Tidbits

Counting systems always have cultural and historical context, so here are some interesting facts about Javanese numbers:

1. The old Javanese counting system is based on a system of counting with groups of 20 instead of 10, as in the decimal system. In the old days, people would make a hole in a coconut shell and fill the hole up with little stones or seashells to count 20s. They would then group the coconuts to get larger numbers. 2. Sometimes Javanese use a knotted string called a 'linge' to help in counting. Each knot represents a number, and larger numbers can be achieved by grouping sets of knots together. 3. In Javanese mythology, there is a god named "Manikmaya" who orders the universe by shaking a bag of nine balls. 4. Javanese people believe that number three ('telu') has a mystical power. It's considered to have the power of attraction, protection, and destruction. 5. In Javanese, the word 'pitu' (seven) derives from the Sanskrit word 'saptan', believed to symbolize spiritual perfection.

To improve your Javanese Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Sources

• Online flashcards for learning Javanese vocabulary

Other Lessons

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