An idiom symbolizing a wife's “loyalty” to always accompany her husband through any circumstances, both good and bad.
Usage Notes or Etymology
This phrase originates from Javanese, composed of the words suwarga (heaven), nunut (to join/tag along), nêraka (hell), and katut (to be carried along/included). Literally, it means 'heaven joins, hell is carried along'.
This idiom traditionally describes the concept of a wife's “loyalty” and devotion in Javanese culture, which highly values household harmony and the wife's supportive role.
Real-world Usage
Bedane napa, sampeyan susah: kula ênggih tumut susah, bingah ênggih tumut bingah, ontên namane tiyang èstri niku: suwarga nunut, nêraka katut, nanging tiyang susah niku rak ontên jalarane. (Apa bedanya, kalau kamu susah: aku juga ikut susah, kalau senang juga ikut senang, namanya istri itu: surga ikut, neraka terbawa, tetapi orang susah itu kan ada alasannya.)
English Translation
What's the difference, if you're sad: I'll be sad too, if you're happy I'll be happy too, that's what a wife is called: following to heaven, clinging to hell, but a sad person always has a reason.
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.