Sugih
Definition & Context
Adjective
A word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it.
A state of possessing substantial material assets, wealth, or an abundance of resources. Additionally, this term also represents the condition of being “rich” in a spiritual, inner, or experiential sense, reflecting holistic well-being within the Javanese cultural perspective.
Synonyms & Variants
berada
Euphemism to describe a stable or well-off economic status.
hartawan
A person who owns a lot of property; a rich person.
kaya
Possessing a large amount of wealth or material assets.
makmur
Being in a state of abundance, prosperity, and progress.
tajir
Slang term for someone who is extremely wealthy.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word sugih originates from Old Javanese and is widely used across both Ngoko and Krama registers. It has been embedded in Javanese daily speech since the era of the ancient Mataram kingdom, appearing in classical literary works such as Serat Centhini and Babad Tanah Jawi. Culturally, sugih extends beyond material wealth to encompass the concept of sugih batin (spiritual richness), reflecting the holistic Javanese worldview that values inner prosperity alongside material abundance.
Real-world Usage
Ojo mung ngimpi sugih, rek, kerjo sing tenanan! (Jangan cuma bermimpi kaya, kerja yang sungguh-sungguh!)
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.
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