Language/Javanese/Grammar/Pronouns

Javanese Grammar - Pronouns

Hi Javanese learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on Javanese pronouns. Pronouns are important parts of speech that replace nouns in a sentence, making it more efficient and easier to understand. We will explain how to properly use them and give you some cultural insights to better understand the Javanese language. After this lesson, you'll be able to use pronouns to speak more fluently in Javanese!

With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Gender, Nouns & Plurals.

Why are pronouns important?

Pronouns are very important in conversation because they simplify and make it easier to understand sentences. In Javanese, pronouns are used in various situations like asking for directions, in greetings, and in many other contexts. If you want to speak Javanese fluently, it is essential to know how and when to properly use pronouns.

Personal Pronouns

Let's start with personal pronouns. Personal pronouns are words that replace a noun referring to a person, group of people, an object, or an idea. Here are Javanese personal pronouns:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
aku	[aˈku]	I
kita	[kiˈtɔ]	we (inclusive)
kulo	[kuˈlɔ]	we (exclusive)
dheweke	[dʰəˈwɛkə]	he/she/it
temanten	[təˈmɑn̪t̪ɛn̪]	together (to address a couple)

Here's a dialogue using personal pronouns:

• Person 1: Aku pengin mangan nasi goreng. (I want to eat fried rice.)
• Person 2: Niki sing aku gawe dadi wektune. (This is what I made earlier.)

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns are used to show ownership or belonging of a person, place, or other noun. Here are the Javanese possessive pronouns:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
kula/sira/lira	[kuːˈla]/[sɪˈra]/[liːˈra]	my/your/his/her/its
kita	[kiˈta]	our
wong sejati	[wõŋ səˈdʒati]	theirs

Here's a dialogue using possessive pronouns:

• Person 1: Buku iki punya sira? (Is this book yours?)
• Person 2: Ora, iku punyaku. (No, it's mine.)

Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions about a noun or subject. Here are the Javanese interrogative pronouns:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
sapa	[ˈsapa]	who
apa	[ˈapa]	what
kenapa	[kɛˈnapa]	why

Here's a dialogue using interrogative pronouns:

• Person 1: Sapa sing ngomong iki? (Who said this?)
• Person 2: Dheweke sing ngomong. (He said it.)

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns are used to replace a noun or subject that is near or far from the speaker. Here are the Javanese demonstrative pronouns:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
iki	[ˈi.ki]	this
niki	[ˈnik.i]	this (here)
kono	[ˈko.no]	this (close to the speaker)
nopo	[ˈno.po]	what (far from the speaker)

Here's a dialogue using demonstrative pronouns:

• Person 1: Iki buku sing diteken Ayu? (Is this the book that Ayu signed?)
• Person 2: Iya bener, nopo sih bukune? (Yes, it is. What book is it?)

Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns are used to refer to a person, place, or thing previously mentioned in a sentence. Here are the Javanese relative pronouns:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
sing	[siŋ]	that
lanang-wadon sing	[laˈnaŋ ˈwaːdon siŋ]	who/which

Here's a dialogue using relative pronouns:

• Person 1: Sampeyan wis ngerti aplikasi sing aku utus? (Do you understand the application that I sent?)
• Person 2: Ya, sing Sampeyan utus iku aku ngerti. (Yes, I understand the one you sent.)

Summary

Pronouns are used in every language, often to replace nouns in a sentence to make it easier for the listener or reader to understand. In Javanese, pronouns are important as they are used in various contexts like greetings, directions, and in the conversation itself. Learning them will enhance your ability to speak and write fluently.

Don't forget to visit Polyglot Club, where you can find native speakers and ask them any questions to improve your Javanese Grammar.

Sources

• Javanese Pronouns

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Other Lessons

• Questions
• Nouns
• Conditional Mood
• Give your Opinion
• Negation
• How to Use Be
• Adjectives
• Gender
• Plurals