Kados pundi
Definition & Context
Expression
A word or phrase, especially an idiomatic one, used to convey an idea.
An interrogative phrase in krama inggil Javanese register meaning “how” or “in what manner”, used to politely inquire about the condition, state, or method of something with a high degree of respect.
Synonyms & Variants
bagaimana
Direct standard Indonesian equivalent of the krama inggil phrase `kados pundi`.
gimana
Conversational or non-standard form of the word 'bagaimana'.
piye
Interrogative word in the informal or ngoko level of the Javanese language.
pripun
The polite form of piye in krama madya speech level
Usage Notes or Etymology
The phrase kados pundi is the krama inggil form of the ngoko interrogative kepiye or piye, meaning “how”. The component kados is the krama form of kaya, meaning “like” or “as”, while pundi is the krama inggil form of endi or ngendi, meaning “where” or “which”. Literally, kados pundi translates to “like which” or “as which”, but idiomatically functions as the refined equivalent of the question word “how”. This phrase is widely used in formal Javanese conversation, particularly when a younger or lower-status speaker addresses an elder, parent, teacher, or official. Its use reflects the core Javanese cultural value of “unggah-ungguh”, the hierarchical system of linguistic etiquette that governs respectful social interaction.
Real-world Usage
Kados pundi kabar panjenengan dinten menika? (Bagaimana kabar Anda hari ini?)
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.
More Examples
Kados pundi caranipun damel pecel punika? (Bagaimana cara membuat pecel ini?)
How do you make this pecel?
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