Jokal
/id/Source Language: The language or dialect this term originates from (ID).Definition & Context
NounNoun
A word that functions as the name of a specific object or set of objects, such as living creatures, places, actions, qualities, states of existence, or ideas.
A word from the “bahasa prokem” slang system of the 1980s, representing a coded form of the word jalan (street, road, or to walk), formed through the characteristic prokem encoding method of inserting specific syllables between consonants and vowels.
Synonyms & Variants
cabut
An urban slang term still actively used today as an informal equivalent of "to go" or "to walk away".
jalan
The standard and formal equivalent of "jokal". Used across all registers of Indonesian.
mlaku
Javanese word meaning to walk.
ngalor-ngidul
An expression meaning to wander or talk aimlessly without a clear direction.
pelesir
To go out for pleasure or sightseeing.
ngeloyor
An informal word with the connotative nuance of leaving without saying goodbye, slightly more expressive than a plain "jalan".
molor
A colloquial slang term with the nuance of leaving or moving away, commonly used in informal urban contexts.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word “jokal” originates from the bahasa prokem coding system that flourished among Jakarta youth in the 1980s. The word-formation mechanism of prokem involved inserting a coded syllable, typically -ok- or a variant thereof, between the initial consonant and the vowel of a base word, sometimes followed by a suffix. The root word jalan was transformed into “jokal” through this process, preserving the initial consonant j while shifting and encoding the subsequent sounds to produce a form unintelligible to outsiders. Bahasa prokem of that era functioned as a secret in-group language, primarily used by urban youth in Jakarta to communicate without being understood by parents or authority figures. “Jokal” was therefore not merely a synonym for jalan but also a marker of social identity and group solidarity. Today, the word is considered highly archaic and is encountered almost exclusively in nostalgic contexts, historical linguistic studies, or documentation of Indonesian popular culture from the 1980s.
Real-world Usage
Ayo jokal dulu, males banget di sini terus.
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.