Jipem
Definition & Context
Verb
A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
A prokem (Indonesian criminal/street slang) form of the word pinjam (to borrow), meaning to temporarily use something belonging to another person with the implied obligation of returning it. Formed through the characteristic “syllable reversal” method of 1980s Jakarta street slang.
Synonyms & Variants
bon
A loanword often used in informal contexts to refer to borrowing goods or money.
minjem
A casual or colloquial pronunciation variant of 'pinjam' in everyday Indonesian.
ngampung
A Sundanese dialect term referring to the act of borrowing or using someone else's facilities.
nyilih
Javanese ngoko dialect variant for `pinjam`, very common in everyday speech within Javanese communities.
pinjam
The standard and formal equivalent of `jipem`. Usable across all registers, from formal to casual.
ngampil
Javanese dialect (ngoko register) equivalent of `pinjam`. Used in Central and East Java regions.
silih
Sundanese dialect equivalent of `pinjam`, commonly used in West Java.
ngutang
Loosely synonymous with `jipem` in the context of borrowing money, but `ngutang` implies a debt that may not be repaid.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word jipem is a product of the “prokem” word-formation system that flourished in Jakarta during the 1980s. The primary method is “syllable reversal” or syllabic metathesis, where the word pinjam (pin-jam) is reversed to jam-pin, then phonetically adjusted to yield jipem. Prokem language originally functioned as a secret code used by street criminals and prisoners in Jakarta to prevent outsiders and law enforcement from understanding their conversations. The term “prokem” itself derives from the word preman (thug, street criminal), processed through the same reversal method. Over time, this language spread to urban youth in Jakarta and became a marker of “cool” in-group identity during that era. The use of jipem today carries a nostalgic quality and is rarely encountered in contemporary youth speech, though it remains recognized as part of the linguistic heritage of Jakarta's 1980s popular culture.
Real-world Usage
Eh, jipem duit lu dulu dong, besok gue balikin!
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.
Know another meaning for "Jipem"?
Slang evolves fast. If this word is used differently in your circle, add it here.