Café & Drinks

1. Kula badhe pesen wedang jahe

   Ku-la ba-dhe pe-sen we-dang ja-he

   I would like to order wedang jahe (ginger drink)

   Usage

   Krama phrase for ordering wedang jahe, a traditional Javanese warm ginger drink

   Grammar Note

   "Wedang" means warm drink in Javanese and is used for various traditional herbal beverages. "Badhe" (want to, Krama) vs "arep" (Ngoko). Wedang jahe is especially popular in cool highland areas.

2. Nyuwun es dawet setunggal

   Nyu-wun es da-wet se-tung-gal

   One es dawet (Javanese coconut milk ice drink), please

   Usage

   Es dawet is a traditional Javanese cold drink with green rice flour noodles (dawet), coconut milk, and palm sugar.

   Grammar Note

   "Setunggal" (one, Krama); Ngoko: "siji". "Es" from Dutch "ijs" (ice). Es dawet, also called "es cendol" in some regions, is a beloved Indonesian iced drink nationwide.

3. Kopi Jawa ingkang paling enak pundi?

   Ko-pi Ja-wa ing-kang pa-ling e-nak pun-di?

   Where is the most delicious Java coffee?

   Usage

   Java is world-famous for its coffee. Used to find the best local Java coffee, which is part of the phrase "Mocha-Java" coffee blend.

   Grammar Note

   "Kopi" entered Javanese via Dutch "koffie" from Arabic "qahwa". Java coffee cultivation began in earnest during Dutch colonialism in the 17th-18th centuries.

4. Badhe pesen teh poci

   Ba-dhe pe-sen teh po-ci

   I would like to order teh poci (clay pot tea)

   Usage

   "Teh poci" is tea brewed in a small clay pot with rock sugar, a specialty of Tegal (North Java coast) popular throughout Java.

   Grammar Note

   "Teh" = tea; "poci" = small clay pot. Teh poci is traditionally served with rock candy ("batu") so drinkers can sweeten it to taste — a beloved Javanese tea ritual.

5. Wonten unjukan ingkang panas napa?

   Won-ten un-ju-kan ing-kang pa-nas na-pa?

   Is there a hot drink available?

   Usage

   Krama phrase for requesting a hot drink, useful during the rainy season or in highland areas

   Grammar Note

   "Napa" is the Krama question word corresponding to Ngoko "apa" (what/is there?). "Wonten ~ napa?" creates a general "is there ~?" question useful in many contexts.

6. Tanpa gula, matur nuwun

   Tan-pa gu-la, ma-tur nu-wun

   Without sugar, thank you

   Usage

   Krama phrase to request no sugar in a drink. Javanese beverages tend to be quite sweet by default.

   Grammar Note

   "Tanpa" (without) is shared by Javanese and Indonesian, derived from Sanskrit. "Tanpa es" (no ice), "Tanpa susu" (no milk). "Matur nuwun" is the polite Krama thank-you.

7. Wedang uwuh pundi sade?

   We-dang u-wuh pun-di sa-de?

   Where is wedang uwuh sold?

   Usage

   "Wedang uwuh" (literally "trash drink") is a royal Javanese herbal drink from Yogyakarta made with cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and red sugar.

   Grammar Note

   "Uwuh" means "trash/debris" in Javanese — the name refers to the clutter of herbs and spices. Despite its name, wedang uwuh is a refined royal drink. Imogiri market in Yogyakarta is famous for it.

8. Unjukan menapa ingkang seger?

   Un-ju-kan me-na-pa ing-kang se-ger?

   Which drink is refreshing?

   Usage

   Krama phrase for asking about refreshing drinks, especially on a hot day

   Grammar Note

   "Seger" (refreshing/cool) is shared by Javanese and Indonesian. "Ingkang" is the Krama relative pronoun (Ngoko: "sing"). Popular Javanese cooling drinks: es kelapa muda (young coconut juice).

9. Arak Jawa wonten napa?

   A-rak Ja-wa won-ten na-pa?

   Is there Javanese arak (traditional spirit) available?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the availability of Javanese arak (distilled rice/palm spirit)

   Grammar Note

   "Arak" comes from Arabic "araq" (sweat/distillate). Indonesia has varying alcohol regulations by region. In Java, arak is found in some tourist areas but less common than in Bali.

10. Nyuwun toya setunggal

    Nyu-wun to-ya se-tung-gal

    One water, please

    Usage

    Polite Krama phrase for ordering a glass of water

    Grammar Note

    "Toya" is the Krama word for water; Ngoko: "banyu". Indonesian "air" (water) is also widely understood. "Nyuwun" is the Krama way of asking for something. "Mangga" invites the other person ("go ahead"), so it is not used when you order.

11. Tanpa es

    Tan-pa es

    No ice

    Usage

    Point at it when ordering if you are unsure about the water the ice is made from

12. Banyu mineral

    Ba-nyu mi-ne-ral

    Mineral water

    Usage

    For asking for sealed bottled water

    Grammar Note

    "Banyu" is Javanese for water; shops and menus usually print the Indonesian "air mineral"

13. Banyu panas

    Ba-nyu pa-nas

    Hot water

    Usage

    For asking for hot water for powdered medicine, instant noodles, or formula

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