Animals

1. Asu

   Dog

   Usage

   The standard ngoko word for the animal. Shouted at a person it becomes an insult, so keep it to talk about animals

2. Kucing

   Cat

   Usage

   Cats are everywhere around eateries and markets, and are looked after around mosques

3. Manuk

   Bird

   Usage

   The Javanese form, not Indonesian "burung". Java has a strong songbird-keeping culture and dedicated bird markets

4. Iwak

   Fish

   Usage

   The Javanese form, not Indonesian "ikan". At the table it can also mean the meat or savoury side dish generally

5. Jaran

   Horse

   Usage

   The Javanese form, not Indonesian "kuda". These are the horses that pull Yogyakarta's andong carriages

6. Sapi

   Cow

   Usage

   The cow; beef is "daging sapi". Cattle are sacrificed at Idul Adha

7. Kebo

   Water buffalo

   Usage

   The Javanese form, not Indonesian "kerbau". These work the paddies — and Solo's sacred albino buffalo Kyai Slamet is one too

8. Babi

   Pig

   Usage

   Java is mostly Muslim, so pork is not served in ordinary eateries. Use this word when explaining dietary needs

9. Pitik

   Chicken

   Usage

   The Javanese form, not Indonesian "ayam". "Pitik kampung" is free-range village chicken

10. Bebek

    Duck

    Usage

    The duck of Java's famous "bebek goreng" — deep-fried duck

11. Wedhus

    Goat

    Usage

    The Javanese form, not Indonesian "kambing". Aimed at a person it is an insult — keep it to animals

12. Kethek

    Monkey

    Usage

    The Javanese form, not Indonesian "monyet". Guard your bag and food around Bromo and Pangandaran

13. Luwak

    Civet

    Usage

    The nocturnal civet behind "kopi luwak". Some farms cage them — choose where you visit carefully

14. Ula

    Snake

    Usage

    The Javanese form, not Indonesian "ular". Keep your distance in paddies and scrub

15. Baya

    Crocodile

    Usage

    The Javanese form, pronounced close to "boyo". Surabaya's name comes from the legend of the shark (suro) and the crocodile (boyo)

16. Penyu

    Sea turtle

    Usage

    Java's south coast has nesting beaches and hatcheries. The eggs are protected — do not buy them

17. Kodhok

    Frog

    Usage

    They call all night in the paddies during the rains. Javanese spells it with "dh"

18. Cecak

    House gecko

    Usage

    The little gecko on the ceiling — harmless, and it eats mosquitoes. Indonesian spells it "cicak"

19. Tekek

    Tokay gecko

    Usage

    The big gecko that shouts "to-kek" at night — named for its call. It bites hard, so do not touch it

20. Kadhal

    Lizard

    Usage

    Lizards that run on the ground, as opposed to the wall gecko (cecak)

21. Tikus

    Rat

    Usage

    Common in paddies and markets. Use this to report one at your guesthouse

22. Terwelu

    Rabbit

    Usage

    The Javanese form, not Indonesian "kelinci". Often kept at highland tourist spots

23. Lawa

    Bat

    Usage

    The Javanese form, not Indonesian "kelelawar". They pour out of caves and fruit trees at dusk

24. Lemut

    Mosquito

    Usage

    The Javanese form, not Indonesian "nyamuk". They carry dengue — use it when asking for a coil or repellent

25. Coro

    Cockroach

    Usage

    The Javanese form, not Indonesian "kecoa". Use it to report one at your guesthouse

26. Semut

    Ant

    Usage

    They find anything sweet within minutes — do not leave food out in your room

27. Tawon

    Bee

    Usage

    The Javanese form, not Indonesian "lebah". Mention it in advance if you are allergic to stings

28. Klabang

    Centipede

    Usage

    A painful bite. They come indoors after rain — shake out your shoes first

29. Kupu

    Butterfly

    Usage

    The Javanese form. Indonesian doubles it as "kupu-kupu"

30. Laler

    Fly

    Usage

    The Javanese form, not Indonesian "lalat" — a market and food-stall word

31. Ubur-ubur

    Jellyfish

    Usage

    They turn up seasonally on Java's south-coast beaches. The sting hurts — ask locals before swimming

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