Awak
Body
Usage
The whole body. "Awakku lara" means "my body hurts" — for when you cannot localize it
Sirah
Head
Usage
The ngoko form. Speaking of an elder's head, Javanese switches to the krama inggil "mustaka"
Rambut
Hair
Usage
The ngoko form, for the barber or salon. The krama word is "rikma"
Rai
Face
Usage
The native Javanese word, not Indonesian "wajah/muka". For an elder, use "pasuryan"
Mripat
Eye
Usage
The native Javanese word, not Indonesian "mata". "Mripatku lara" means "my eye hurts"
Kuping
Ear
Usage
The ear — point at it when your ears hurt on take-off or landing
Irung
Nose
Usage
The Javanese form, not Indonesian "hidung". Show it at the pharmacy for a blocked nose
Cangkem
Mouth
Usage
The ngoko form, which sounds blunt. Use the krama "tutuk" when being polite with elders
Untu
Tooth
Usage
The Javanese form, not Indonesian "gigi". Point at the aching tooth at the dentist
Ilat
Tongue
Usage
The Javanese form, not Indonesian "lidah" — useful when spicy food has burned your tongue
Gulu
Neck
Usage
The outside of the neck. For pain when swallowing, point at the throat (tenggorokan)
Pundhak
Shoulder
Usage
The shoulder — for telling a Javanese masseur (tukang pijet) where to work
Lengen
Arm
Usage
From shoulder to wrist. Javanese distinguishes the arm (lengen) from the hand (tangan)
Sikut
Elbow
Usage
The elbow — point at it after a scrape from a scooter fall
Tangan
Hand
Usage
The hand. In Java it is polite to give and receive with the right hand
Driji
Finger
Usage
Used for fingers and toes. A toe is "driji sikil"
Kuku
Nail
Usage
The nail — for a broken nail or a visit to a nail salon
Dhadha
Chest
Usage
The chest. Chest pain or breathlessness is urgent — show this and see a doctor at once
Weteng
Belly / stomach
Usage
Javanese uses one word for the belly and the stomach. "Wetengku lara" means "my stomach hurts"
Geger
Back
Usage
The back — the word you will use most at a massage
Bangkekan
Waist / lower back
Usage
The waist — what aches after a long train ride or a day on a scooter
Bokong
Buttocks
Usage
The word to use in a medical setting. Best avoided in casual conversation
Pupu
Thigh
Usage
The Javanese form, not Indonesian "paha"
Dhengkul
Knee
Usage
Easy to hurt on the steps at Borobudur and Prambanan, or climbing Mount Bromo
Sikil
Foot / leg
Usage
Covers both the foot and the whole leg. Use pupu when you mean the thigh specifically
Polok
Ankle
Usage
The ankle bone — point at it when you have sprained it
Kulit
Skin
Usage
For sunburn, bites and rashes. "Abang-abang ing kulit" is a skin rash
Balung
Bone
Usage
The Javanese form, not Indonesian "tulang". "Balung tugel" means a broken bone
Getih
Blood
Usage
The Javanese form, not Indonesian "darah". "Metu getihe" means it is bleeding
Jantung
Heart
Usage
The organ. "Lara jantung" is heart disease — show it when declaring a condition
Usus
Intestines
Usage
The intestines — for telling a doctor where the trouble is when diarrhoea persists
Paru-paru
Lungs
Usage
The lungs — show it together with asma (asthma) when declaring a condition
Ati
Liver
Usage
The Javanese form, not Indonesian "hati". Like Indonesian it doubles as "heart" in metaphor — "ati-ati" means "be careful"
Ginjel
Kidney
Usage
The Javanese form. It differs from Indonesian "ginjal" by one letter — switch if this does not land
More Javanese phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
- Accommodation
- Banking & ATM
- Visa & Immigration
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
- Art & Museums
- Festivals & Events
- Photography
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Dating Apps
- Volunteering
- Accessibility
- Sustainability & Eco
- Fruits
- Colors
- Dietary & Allergies
- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Diving & Water Sports
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Hot Springs & Baths
- Yoga & Wellness
- Casino & Gambling
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences