Kuwi
/jv/Source Language: The language or dialect this term originates from (JV).Definition & Context
PronounPronoun
A word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse.
A demonstrative pronoun in Javanese Ngoko register referring to an object, person, or matter distant from the speaker, equivalent to “that” or “itu” in standard Indonesian.
Synonyms & Variants
itu
Demonstrative pronoun for objects, people, or situations located far from both the speaker and the listener.
niki
Intermediate form of iki
nopo
Demonstrative pronoun in Betawi language referring to objects, people, or things far from the speaker, equivalent to 'itu'.
punika
Polite form of iki
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word kuwi originates from Javanese Ngoko and is an informal variant of the demonstrative iku, which corresponds to menika in the Krama (polite) register. Historically, Javanese employs a three-tier demonstrative system based on spatial distance: iki (this, near the speaker), kuwi or iku (that, near the listener or moderately distant), and kae (that, far from both parties). The use of kuwi is prevalent in everyday speech across Central and East Java, particularly in Ngoko-register conversations among peers or close acquaintances. In informal Indonesian influenced by Javanese culture, kuwi frequently appears as a code-switching insertion.
Real-world Usage
Kowe kuwi wong wadon sing kuat, aja nangis terus! (Kamu itu perempuan yang kuat, jangan terus menangis!)
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.