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Why learn Javanese?
Javanese is one of the 67 languages you can learn on Lingocard with frequency-ranked flashcards, spaced repetition, and live speaking partners. Build vocabulary and pronunciation at your own pace, on web and mobile.
Javanese is written in the Latin script. In the US Foreign Service Institute ranking, Javanese is a Category III language - about 1100 class hours to professional working proficiency for English speakers. Javanese belongs to the Austronesian family - if you enjoy it, a natural next step is Malay or Sundanese.
50 essential Javanese words
Start with the words you will actually meet: learn these and you will recognize something in almost every Javanese sentence.
| # | Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | aku | AH-koo | I |
| 2 | kowé | KOH-weh | you |
| 3 | dhèwèké | dheh-WEH-keh | he |
| 4 | kita | KEE-tah | we |
| 5 | iki | EE-kee | this |
| 6 | iku | EE-koo | that |
| 7 | apa | AW-paw | what |
| 8 | sapa | SAW-paw | who |
| 9 | ora | OH-rah | no |
| 10 | lan | lahn | and |
| 11 | utawa | oo-TAW-waw | or |
| 12 | nanging | NAHNG-ing | but |
| 13 | ing | ing | in |
| 14 | karo | KAH-roh | with |
| 15 | siji | SEE-jee | one |
| 16 | loro | LOH-roh | two |
| 17 | gedhé | guh-DHEH | big |
| 18 | cilik | CHEE-lik | small |
| 19 | apik | AH-pik | good |
| 20 | anyar | AH-nyar | new |
| 21 | wong | wohng | person |
| 22 | banyu | BAH-nyoo | water |
| 23 | dina | DEE-naw | day |
| 24 | taun | TAH-oon | year |
| 25 | wektu | WEK-too | time |
| 26 | omah | OH-mah | house |
| 27 | gawean | gah-WEH-ahn | work |
| 28 | urip | OO-rip | live |
| 29 | tembung | TEM-boong | word |
| 30 | dadi | DAH-dee | to become |
| 31 | duwé | DOO-weh | have |
| 32 | nggawé | ng-GAH-weh | make |
| 33 | ngomong | NGOH-mohng | say |
| 34 | ngerti | NGER-tee | know |
| 35 | ndeleng | NDEH-leng | see |
| 36 | lunga | LOONG-aw | go |
| 37 | teka | tuh-KAW | come |
| 38 | mènèhi | meh-NEH-hee | give |
| 39 | njupuk | NJOO-pook | take |
| 40 | péngin | PEHNG-in | want |
| 41 | mangan | MAHNG-ahn | eat |
| 42 | ngombé | NGOHM-beh | to drink |
| 43 | saiki | sah-EE-kee | now |
| 44 | kéné | KEH-neh | here |
| 45 | kana | KAH-naw | there |
| 46 | ngendi | NGEN-dee | where |
| 47 | kenapa | kuh-NAH-paw | why |
| 48 | kabèh | KAH-beh | all |
| 49 | akèh | AH-keh | many |
| 50 | bengi | buh-NGEE | night |
Useful phrases in Javanese
- Sugeng siyang · soo-GENG SEE-yang · Hello / Good day
- Piye kabare? · PEE-yeh kah-BAH-reh · How are you?
- Matur nuwun · MAH-toor NOO-woon · Thank you
- Tulung · TOO-loong · Please
- Jenengku... · jeh-NENG-koo · My name is...
- ... ana ngendi? · AH-nah NGEN-dee · Where is...?
- Pamit · PAH-mit · Goodbye
- Nuwun sewu · NOO-woon SEH-woo · Excuse me
- Aku ora ngerti · AH-koo OH-rah NGER-tee · I don't understand
- Apa kowé bisa nulungi aku? · AH-pah KOH-way BEE-sah noo-LOONG-ee AH-koo · Can you help me?
- Regané pira? · reh-GAH-nay PEE-rah · How much is it?
- Ketemu sésuk! · keh-TEH-moo SAY-sook · See you tomorrow!
Learn Javanese with comprehensive language resources
- Pronunciation
- Numbers
- Verbs and adjectives
- Frequency dictionaries
- Basic sentences
- Thematic dictionaries
- Politeness
- Idioms
Learn Javanese, wherever you are
- AI-powered spaced repetition learning system on the go
- Audio processing for pronunciation
- Creation of visual language flash cards with images
- Search for speaking practice partners
- Frequency and thematic dictionaries for any language
- Alert system with exercise reminders
- Live video and messaging to facilitate learning
Join our global Javanese learning community
Collaborate with native Javanese speakers and fellow learners: exchange messages, correct each other's cards, and practice real conversation.
Send friend requests to the speakers you click with and build your own friends list - many practice partners become real friends.
Are you an educator? Teach Javanese online · Create an online Javanese school · Build a Javanese curriculum
Frequently asked questions about learning Javanese
How difficult is it to learn Javanese?
How difficult Javanese is depends on your background, but every language becomes manageable with consistent daily practice. Focusing on the most frequent words first means you can understand and say a lot early on. In the US Foreign Service Institute ranking, Javanese is a Category III language - about 1100 class hours to professional working proficiency for English speakers.
What should I learn first to reach a basic level in Javanese?
Start with the 100-500 most frequent words (free in our apps) and the thematic dictionaries most relevant to your daily life. Set clear goals and practise a few minutes every day - consistency is what produces results. Then connect with other learners to build confidence at your new basic level.
How long does it take to learn Javanese?
Most learners reach a comfortable conversational level in Javanese within 8-18 months of consistent daily study. Practising vocabulary with spaced repetition and speaking regularly speeds this up considerably. About 80 million people across 1 countries speak Javanese, so you will never run short of practice partners.
How do I improve my Javanese vocabulary?
Use the spaced-repetition and flashcard systems in the app. You can set daily, weekly, or yearly goals in our mobile apps and steadily reach the vocabulary size you’re aiming for.
Is Javanese pronunciation hard?
Every language has a few sounds that take practice, but Javanese pronunciation becomes consistent with regular listening and speaking. Hearing the language often matters more than memorising rules.
How do I get Free Javanese speaking practice?
Open the Practice or Friends page in the app, send practice requests, and start real conversations with other learners - don’t be shy! You can also mention that you want speaking practice when you create your account, and the platform will help match you with suitable partners.
Do I need to learn the Javanese alphabet first?
If Javanese uses a different script, learning it early unlocks reading - and it's usually faster than people expect. On Lingocard you'll find every alphabet, with example words, free.