Language/Javanese/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be

Javanese Grammar - How to Use "Be"

Hi Javanese learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about the use of "be" in Javanese grammar. Just like in English, "be" in Javanese is essential for making sentences, and it's something you use every day without even noticing it. Let's dive into it! 🤓

Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Basic Prepositions & Gender.

Simple Present Tense

In Javanese, "be" is translated to "minangka" or "yaiku". "Minangka" is more formal, while "yaiku" is more commonly used.

Here are some examples:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
ora minangka wong Jawa		He is not Javanese
aku yaiku wong Jawa		I am Javanese
tyas minangka wong nglayang ingkang rikrah		Tyas is not the kind of person who gives up easily
ning aku yaiku wong ngrampungi ingkang tan kela		And I am the person who never gives up

Dialogues:

• Person 1: Ora minangka wong Indonesia. (He is not Indonesian.)
• Person 2: Minangka sapa? (Not Indonesian according to whom?)

• Person 1: Awit tyas minangka wong kaya. (Because Tyas is a rich person.)
• Person 2: Tyas yaiku wong kaya? (Is Tyas a rich person?)

• Person 1: Ning aku yaiku wong nanging saestu. (And I am just a regular person.)
• Person 2: Ana apa-apa sing aku bisa kulonuwun? (Can I help you with anything?)

Present Continuous Tense

In Javanese, present continuous tense is constructed by adding "sedang" or "lagi" before the main verb. "Sedang" is formal, while "lagi" is more commonly used. Also, in Javanese, there is no difference between present simple tense and present continuous tense. Therefore, if you want to emphasize continuity, be sure to add "sedang" or "lagi" before the verb.

Here are some examples:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
aku lagi mikirke istriku		I am thinking about my wife
sedang takon-takon karo wong ingkang erupan		He is chatting with his friends
Beng ricek-ricek karo wong ing satu		Beng is searching for someone

Dialogues:

• Person 1: Tyas lagi sibuk nggayuh. (Tyas is busy pedaling.)
• Person 2: Apa sing didamel Tyas? (What is Tyas doing?)

• Person 1: Wong-wong ing sekolah lagi urip sepi. (People at school are living isolated life.)
• Person 2: Sedulur lir brunangan kaleh? (Don't you miss your friends?)

• Person 1: Kulo lagi sedhela angen-angen. (I am daydreaming.)
• Person 2: Pirembagané apa? (What's on your mind?)

Past Tense

In Javanese, "be" in past tense can be translated as "isih" or "wis". "Ishih" is past tense, while "wis" is present perfect tense. Here are some examples:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
Mangku isih peteng.		Mangku was still awake at midnight.
Tyas wis njupuk pisang.		Tyas has picked up bananas.
Saiki sasi minangka wong sing wis lulus sekolah.		Nowadays, Sasi is someone who has graduated from school.

Dialogues:

• Person 1: Awit Mangku isih tegese duduluran. (Because Mangku was still following.)
• Person 2: Duduluran apa? (Following what?)

• Person 1: Tyas wis njupuk pisang iki. (Tyas has picked up these bananas.)
• Person 2: Kandani apa kitung? (What are we going to do with them?)

• Person 1: Saiki sasi minangka wong sing wis lulus ing sekolah banjur nganggep tenaga kosong. (Nowadays, Sasi is someone who has graduated from school and has become unemployed.)
• Person 2: Mugi-mugi bisa cepet ngereh! (Hopefully, he gets a job soon!)

Past Continuous Tense

In Javanese, past continuous is constructed with "isih" or "mulane" followed by "sedang". "Ishih sedang" is formal, while "mulane lagu" is more commonly used.

Here are some examples:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
Tyas mulane lagi sedang sikutrek.		Tyas was repairing the bike
Krishna isih sedang nindokake sesaji.		Krishna was preparing the offerings

Dialogues:

• Person 1: Awit Sasi isih sedhela di kantor ngurusi raport. (Because Sasi was still at the office taking care of reports.)
• Person 2: Ing ngisoré? (Until when?)

• Person 1: Tyas mulane lagi sedhela ngurusi bajingan ana ing pekarangan. (Tyas was busy dealing with the squirrels in the yard.)
• Person 2: Sing becik-becik wae kok piye? (Why does he bother them?)

Future Tense

In Javanese, future tense is indicated by "bakal" before the main verb.

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
Aku bakal mripatke kabehing pangarepku.		I will achieve all my dreams.
Ing saben setunggal wektu bakal adus.		Every time we meet, we will fight.

Dialogues:

• Person 1: Apa sing bakal kitung dolanan marem? (What are we going to play tonight?)
• Person 2: Lakune sing asik? (Whatever is fun!)

• Person 1: Shandra bakal kuliah ing kampus kang akeh dibaleni. (Shandra will study in a campus that costs a lot.)
• Person 2: Ono apa sing biar ndi? (Is there anything that will help her out?)

• Person 1: Sing bakal kempal é sapa? (Who's going to be the last one at the party?)
• Person 2: Aku isin mikirke sing bakal awis, maneh mas-agi sawang sinawang! (I don't feel like thinking who's going to leave last, because we still have a lot of things to do!)

That's all for today's lesson about "be" in Javanese grammar! Now you are one step closer to mastering Javanese language! See you on the next Javanese 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. 😎

Other Lessons

• Gender
• Adjectives
• Plurals
• Nouns
• Negation
• Conditional Mood
• Give your Opinion
• Future Tense
• Questions

Sources

• Javanese language - Wikipedia
• Javanese Grammar - How to Use "Be"
• Javanese Grammar for Students: A Graded Introduction (Third ...