Ngelih
/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.
A physical condition characterized by an intense feeling of “extreme hunger” or “an empty stomach requiring food”. This term is commonly used in Javanese dialect to express hunger in a more expressive and emotional manner compared to the standard word “lapar”.
Synonyms & Variants
kelaparan
A state of being very hungry or suffering from lack of food.
kruyuk-kruyuk
An onomatopoeic word for the sound of a very hungry stomach, often used in informal contexts.
lapar
"Lapar" is the standard and neutral form of hunger. "Ngelih" expresses greater intensity and is more colloquial in Javanese context.
perut keroncongan
An idiom describing the rumbling sound of a stomach due to extreme hunger.
gesang
"Gesang" is another Javanese synonym with similar roughness and intensity as "ngelih", often used in ngoko context.
perut kempis
A more descriptive yet still informal expression, often used in Javanese context to describe hunger in a more visual way.
keroncongan
"Keroncongan" focuses on the physical symptom (stomach sound), while "ngelih" refers to the overall state of hunger.
Usage Notes or Etymology
Derived from the Javanese Ngoko word ngelih, serving as the informal everyday expression for hunger. Commonly used in casual conversation among peers in Central and East Javanese communities, its usage signals social intimacy and familiarity between speakers.
Real-world Usage
Aku ngelih banget, kowe rak duwe panganan? (Aku sangat lapar, kamu tidak punya camilan?)
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.