Language/Javanese/Grammar/Questions-and-Negations

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Javanese → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Sentence Structure → Questions and Negations

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on forming questions and negations in Javanese! In this lesson, we will explore the different ways to ask questions and negate sentences in the Javanese language. Understanding how to form questions and negations is crucial for effective communication in any language, and Javanese is no exception. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently ask questions and express negations in Javanese.

The structure of this lesson is as follows:

1. Introduction 2. Basic Sentence Structure Review 3. Forming Yes/No Questions 4. Forming Information Questions 5. Forming Negative Sentences 6. Cultural Insights 7. Practice Exercises 8. Conclusion

Let's dive into the fascinating world of Javanese sentence structure and explore the intricacies of forming questions and negations!

Basic Sentence Structure Review

Before we delve into forming questions and negations, let's quickly review the basic sentence structure in Javanese. Javanese follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) pattern, similar to English. Here's a simple example sentence in Javanese:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
Aku	[aˈku]	I
mangan	[ˈmaŋɡan]	eat
nasi	[ˈnasi]	rice

Translation: I eat rice.

In this sentence, "Aku" (I) is the subject, "mangan" (eat) is the verb, and "nasi" (rice) is the object. Understanding this basic sentence structure will help us in forming questions and negations.

Forming Yes/No Questions

In Javanese, yes/no questions are formed by simply adding the word "ora" at the beginning of the sentence. Let's look at an example:

Javanese	Pronunciation	English
Ora	[ˈora]	Do
aku	[aˈku]	I
mangan	[ˈmaŋɡan]	eat
nasi	[ˈnasi]	rice

Translation: Do I eat rice?

As you can see, by adding "ora" at the beginning of the sentence, we can transform a statement into a yes/no question. It's that simple!

Let's practice forming more yes/no questions in Javanese:

• A: Apa aku mangan nasi? (Do I eat rice?)
• B: Ora, aku mangan tempe. (No, I eat tempe.)

• A: Apa kamu bisa bahasa Jawa? (Do you speak Javanese?)
• B: Ora, aku ora bisa. (No, I can't.)

• A: Apa dia tinggal di Jogja? (Does he/she live in Jogja?)
• B: Ora, dia tinggal di Surabaya. (No, he/she lives in Surabaya.)

Forming Information Questions

In addition to yes/no questions, Javanese also uses question words to form information questions. These question words are placed at the beginning of the sentence. Let's take a look at some examples:

• "Sapa" (Who): Sapa jenengmu? (What is your name?)
• "Nopo" (Why): Nopo kamu bali? (Why are you crying?)
• "Kapan" (When): Kapan kita ketemu? (When will we meet?)
• "Di maneh" (Where): Di maneh kamu tinggal? (Where do you live?)
• "Kene" (How): Kene carane nyedhak? (How do you cook?)

These are just a few examples of the many question words used in Javanese. By using these question words, you can gather specific information in your conversations.

Forming Negative Sentences

Negating sentences in Javanese is relatively straightforward. To form a negative sentence, we simply add the word "ora" before the verb. Let's see some examples:

• Aku ora mangan nasi. (I don't eat rice.)
• Kowe ora bisa ngomong Jawa. (You can't speak Javanese.)
• Iku ora apa-apa. (That is nothing.)
• Kita ora mangan sambel. (We don't eat chili sauce.)

As you can see, by adding "ora" before the verb, we can easily negate the sentence. It's important to note that the word "ora" can also be written as "ora" or "owah" in some dialects of Javanese.

Cultural Insights

In Javanese culture, the use of politeness levels is highly valued. When asking questions or expressing negations, it is important to use the appropriate level of politeness based on the social context. Javanese has different levels of politeness, ranging from formal to informal. The choice of politeness level depends on factors such as age, social status, and familiarity.

For example, when asking a question to someone older or in a higher social position, it is customary to use a more formal and respectful tone. On the other hand, when speaking with friends or peers, a more informal tone can be used. It is essential to be mindful of these cultural nuances when communicating in Javanese.

Practice Exercises

Now, let's practice what we've learned! Here are some exercises to help you apply your knowledge of forming questions and negations in Javanese. Try to answer the questions or complete the sentences based on the given prompts. Solutions and explanations will be provided after each exercise.

Exercise 1: Forming Yes/No Questions 1. Apa kowe bisa nyanyi? (Can you sing?) 2. Apa iki wong Jawa? (Is this person Javanese?) 3. Apa kita mangan ngendi? (Where do we eat?)

Exercise 2: Forming Information Questions 1. Sapa jenengmu? (What is your name?) 2. Nopo sira bali? (Why are you crying?) 3. Kapan kita ketemu? (When will we meet?)

Exercise 3: Forming Negative Sentences 1. Aku ora bisa nulis. (I can't write.) 2. Kowe ora bisa ngrungokake Jawa. (You can't understand Javanese.) 3. Iku ora enak. (That is not delicious.)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to form questions and negations in Javanese. By understanding the basic sentence structure, using question words, and negating sentences, you can confidently communicate in Javanese and engage in meaningful conversations. Remember to pay attention to the cultural nuances and the appropriate level of politeness when using these language structures in real-life situations.

Keep practicing and expanding your knowledge of Javanese grammar and vocabulary. The more you practice, the more fluent you will become. Don't hesitate to immerse yourself in Javanese culture, as it will deepen your understanding of the language and enhance your overall learning experience.

Thank you for joining us in this lesson, and we look forward to seeing you in the next one! Selamat belajar!

Table of Contents - Javanese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Sentence Structure

• Subject-Verb-Object
• Questions and Negations

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-10
• Telling Time

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationship Terms

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Food and Drinks

• Common Foods
• Drinks and Beverages

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Adverbs of Manner

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Vocabulary

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Basic Prepositions
• Common Conjunctions

  ---

Javanese Customs and Etiquette

• Politeness Levels
• Social Etiquette

Sources

• Javanese Grammar | LEARN101.ORG

Other Lessons

• Future Tense
• Pronouns
• Past Tense
• Give your Opinion
• Negation
• Adverbs of Manner
• Nouns
• Possessive Pronouns
• Descriptive Adjectives
• How to Use Be

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