Gopek
Definition & Context
Numeral
A figure, symbol, or group of these denoting a number.
An informal slang nominal referring to the monetary value of five hundred Indonesian rupiah (Rp500), derived from a phonetic adaptation of the Hokkien language and widely adopted into Indonesian “prokem” and urban colloquial vocabulary.
Synonyms & Variants
lima ratus rupiah
The formal and standard form used in official contexts, documents, and standard communication.
lima ratus perak
Widely used in everyday conversation. The word `perak` functions as a casual register marker replacing `rupiah` in informal contexts.
setengah ribu
Used in casual conversation as an alternative way to refer to Rp500 without using the Hokkien-derived term.
cepek
Not a direct synonym but a member of the same Hokkien numeral lexicon system. Included as a contextual cognate within the same word family.
goceng
A cognate member of the Hokkien-based informal numeral system. Its value is higher than gopek, included to illustrate the consistency of the lexical system.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word gopek is a loanword from Hokkien, a Chinese dialect that has significantly influenced informal Indonesian vocabulary, particularly in Java. It derives from go meaning “five” and pek meaning “hundred” in Hokkien, thus literally translating to “five hundred”. This term is deeply embedded in everyday Indonesian conversation across generations, especially in traditional markets, street vendor culture, and urban communities. Gopek belongs to a family of Hokkien-based numeral lexemes that also includes cepek (Rp100), nopek (Rp200), goceng (Rp5,000), and gocap (Rp50), all of which form a distinctive informal counting system rooted in Indonesia's rich trading culture and Chinese-Indonesian linguistic heritage.
Real-world Usage
Parkir di sini cuma gopek doang, murah banget sih!
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.
Know another meaning for "Gopek"?
Slang evolves fast. If this word is used differently in your circle, add it here.