Feelings

1. Bungah

   Glad / delighted

   Usage

   The native Javanese word for gladness — for when you receive good news

2. Ayem

   At peace

   Usage

   The calm that Javanese culture prizes. "Ayem tentrem" means serene and untroubled

3. Lega

   Relieved

   Usage

   When a worry lifts — your bag turned up, you caught the train

4. Bangga

   Proud

   Usage

   Pride. To praise someone: "Aku bangga karo kowe" — I am proud of you

5. Semangat

   Fired up / you can do it

   Usage

   Describes your own drive, and on its own it is a cheer meaning "keep going"

6. Tresna

   Love

   Usage

   The native Javanese word, not Indonesian "cinta". Common in song and poetry

7. Aku tresna kowe

   I love you

   Usage

   The ngoko form — for partners, family and close friends only. Ngoko itself would be rude to an elder

8. Kangen

   I miss you

   Usage

   Works for people, places and even flavours. "Aku kangen kowe" means "I miss you"

9. Sedhih

   Sad

   Usage

   Sadness in general. Javanese spells it with "dh"

10. Kuciwa

    Disappointed

    Usage

    When something falls short; Indonesian says "kecewa". The Javanese way is to complain quietly, without raising your voice

11. Ngrasa sepi

    I feel lonely

    Usage

    "Sepi" on its own means quiet or deserted, so add "ngrasa" (to feel) when you mean the emotion

12. Getun

    Regretful

    Usage

    The native Javanese word, not Indonesian "menyesal" — for a purchase or a choice you wish you had made differently

13. Nesu

    Angry

    Usage

    The native Javanese word, not Indonesian "marah". Showing anger openly is considered poor form in Java — use it to describe a situation

14. Jengkel

    Annoyed

    Usage

    Milder than nesu — the colloquial word for grumbling to a friend

15. Wedi

    Afraid

    Usage

    The native Javanese word, not Indonesian "takut". "Aku wedi asu" means "I am scared of dogs"

16. Kaget

    Startled

    Usage

    For a sudden noise or event, pleasant surprises included

17. Kuwatir

    Worried

    Usage

    For uncertainty ahead. "Ora usah kuwatir" means "don't worry"

18. Stres

    Stressed

    Usage

    Borrowed from English "stress" and perfectly ordinary in conversation

19. Isin

    Embarrassed / shy

    Usage

    The native Javanese word, not Indonesian "malu". Covers both shyness and awkward apology

20. Bosen

    Bored

    Usage

    Bored or fed up. Rude if aimed at a person — keep it about yourself

21. Kesel

    Tired

    Usage

    In Javanese this means physically tired. The similar Indonesian "kesal" means annoyed — do not mix them up

22. Ngantuk

    Sleepy

    Usage

    After a night bus or a dawn climb. Distinct from kesel (tired)

23. Waras

    I am well

    Usage

    Healthy, recovered. "Wis waras" means "I am better now"

24. Ora kepenak awak

    I do not feel well

    Usage

    Literally "the body is not comfortable" — show this first when you cannot name a symptom

25. Trenyuh

    Moved / touched

    Usage

    For being moved by someone's kindness or a story — a characteristically Javanese shade of feeling

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