Goroh
/jv/Source Language: The language or dialect this term originates from (JV).Definition & Context
VerbVerb
A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
An act or statement that does not conform to the truth, used in the ngoko register of Javanese to express the act of “lying” or being dishonest.
Synonyms & Variants
bohong
The standard Indonesian equivalent of `goroh`.
ngapusi
The active verb form of `apus` with the prefix `ng-`, widely used in Central and East Java as a contextual synonym of `goroh`.
apus
The word `apus` in Javanese leans more toward deception or trickery, with a slightly different nuance from `goroh` which focuses on verbal lying.
dustа
The word `dusta` is the formal or literary equivalent of `goroh`, derived from Sanskrit and more commonly found in written or formal speech contexts.
cidra
The word `cidra` in Javanese and archaic Indonesian carries connotations of betrayal or breaking one's word, making it semantically related to `goroh` but with a heavier moral weight.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word goroh is a native Javanese vocabulary item belonging to the ngoko_lugu speech level, which is the informal register used among peers or from older speakers to younger ones. Semantically, it is equivalent to the standard Indonesian word “bohong” (to lie). Within the Javanese speech-level hierarchy, the more refined equivalent of goroh is dora (krama madya register), while even more polite expressions such as mboten leres may be used in formal or respectful contexts. Using goroh toward an elder or a person of higher social standing is considered impolite. The word is widely used in everyday speech across Central Java and East Java.
Real-world Usage
Kowe kok goroh terus, ora isin ta? (Kamu kok bohong terus, tidak malu ya?)
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.