Sekawan
/jv/Source Language: The language or dialect this term originates from (JV).Definition & Context
NumeralNumeral
A figure, symbol, or group of these denoting a number.
A cardinal numeral in the Javanese language meaning four, used across both ngoko and krama registers as the equivalent of the standard Indonesian numeral “empat”.
Synonyms & Variants
catur
Another form of the number four, often used in formal or literary contexts, or as a prefix in word formation.
empat
Direct equivalent in standard Indonesian.
papat
The more casual `ngoko` form, commonly preferred over `sekawan` in informal Javanese conversation.
sekawan
The cardinal number four in Javanese, used in the krama register.
opat
Dialect variant from Sundanese, a neighboring language of Javanese speakers.
pat
A shortened form often appearing in compounds such as `patang` (four items) in everyday Javanese.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word sekawan originates from Old Javanese as the cardinal numeral for four. Morphologically, it is connected to the root kawan, which in the context of Javanese numerals denotes the fourth count, distinct from the Indonesian word kawan meaning friend or companion. In the Javanese numeral system, sekawan is widely used across both ngoko and krama registers, making it one of the few numerals that functions as a cross-register form. It remains actively used in daily conversation among Javanese speakers in Central and East Java, and frequently appears in classical Javanese literary texts and traditional expressions.
Real-world Usage
Kowe tuku piro? Aku tuku sekawan wae. (Kamu beli berapa? Aku beli empat saja.)
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.