Wilangan
Sinau Basa Jawa
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Wilangan
Wilangan is part of Sinau Basa Jawa for learning Javanese (Jawa Ngoko) numbers and counting. On this page, you can find basic counting and number words. The content is meant for anyone who wants to study Javanese numerals.
You’ll also find how numbers are used in different contexts, such as , measurements, frequency and time expressions.
Whether you're learning to count, describe quantities, or read the clock in Javanese, this page offers a starting point.
Wilangan is a Javanese word that describes the structure of numbers in language like counting words, numerical expressions, a numerical structure in poems (like Guru Wilangan in Tembang Macapat) and symbols that represent quantities in the Javanese language.
The Javanese word for number is Angka.
Pronunciation
In Javanese, the pronunciation of numbers follows the same patterns as regular vocabulary. This means that vowel shifts like “a” becoming “o” in final syllables (e.g., sanga → songo) and the second “u” often sounding like “o” (e.g., likur → likor, matur → mator) also apply when reading numbers aloud. These changes reflect natural speech rhythms, especially in Ngoko and Central Javanese accents, helping learners sound more authentic and confident in everyday conversation.
Letter | Written Form | Spoken Form (Ngoko) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
A (Å,å)> Oh | Sapa > Såpå Basa > Båså Bisa >Biså | Sohpoh Bohsoh Bisoh | A becomes heavy O while still retaining a subtle trace of the original A. When a word ends with the letter A, the A is always pronounced as Oh. |
A > Ah | Tambah
Barang | Tambah
Barang | When a word does not end with the letter A, the A is pronounced as Ah/Aah. |
J | Aja | odjoh | A becomes heavy O-..., and J is pronounced as Dj, like jacket, jaw and jam |
Y | Ya | yoh | A is heavy O-..., y is like yeah! |
E | Gede | Gêdé | Gêdé > gedih, the i pronunciation is like in the word "stick" |
U > oh | Likur Sepuluh | Likor Se-poo-loh | Second U in a word is pronounced as Oh. Also in Matur Nuwun > Mator Nuwon |
U > oo | Aku | Aa-koo | oo as in the English word "too" or "you" |
Counting
1 - 50 | 11 - 20 | 21 - 30 | 31 - 40 | 41 - 50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
[1] Siji [2] Loro [3] Telu [4] Papat [5] Lima [6] Nenem [7] Pitu [8] Wolu [9] Sanga [10] Sepuluh | [11] Sewelas [12] Rolas [13] Telulas [14] Patbelas [15] Limalas [16] Nembelas [17] Pitulas [18] Wolulas [19] Sangalas [20] Rong puluh | [21] Selikur [22] Rolikur [23] Telulikur [24] Patlikur [25] Selawe [26] Nemlikur [27] Pitulikur [28] Wolulikur [29] Sangalikur [30] Telung puluh | [31] Telung puluh siji [32] Telung puluh loro [33] Telung puluh telu [34] Telung puluh papat [35] Telung puluh lima [36] Telung puluh nenem [37] Telung puluh pitu [38] Telung puluh wolu [39] Telung puluh sanga [40] Patang puluh | [41] Patang puluh siji [42] Patang puluh loro [43] Patang puluh telu [44] Patang puluh papat [45] Patang puluh lima [46] Patang puluh nenem [47] Patang puluh pitu [48] Patang puluh wolu [49] Patang puluh sanga [50] Seket |
51 - 60 | 61 - 70 | 71 - 80 | 81 - 90 | 91 - 100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
[51] Seket wiji [52] Seket loro [53] Seket telu [54] Seket papat [55] Seket lima [56] Seket nenem [57] Seket pitu [58] Seket wolu [59] Seket sanga [60] Sewidak | [61] Sewidak siji [62] Sewidak loro [63] Sewidak telu [64] Sewidak papat [65] Sewidak lima [66] Sewidak nenem [67] Sewidak pitu [68] Sewidak wolu [69] Sewidak sanga [70] Pitung puluh | [71] Pitung puluh siji [72] Pitung puluh loro [73] Pitung puluh telu [74] Pitung puluh papat [75] Pitung puluh lima [76] Pitung puluh nenem [77] Pitung puluh pitu [78] Pitung puluh wolu [79] Pitung puluh sanga [80] Wolong puluh | [81] Wolong puluh siji [82] Wolong puluh loro [83] Wolong puluh telu [84] Wolong puluh papat [85] Wolong puluh lima [86] Wolong puluh nenem [87] Wolong puluh pitu [88] Wolong puluh wolu [89] Wolong puluh sanga [90] Sangang puluh | [91] Sangang puluh siji [92] Sangang puluh loro [93] Sangang puluh telu [94] Sangang puluh papat [95] Sangang puluh lima [96] Sangang puluh nenem [97] Sangang puluh pitu [98] Sangang puluh wolu [99] Sangang puluh sanga [100] Satus |
Hundreds | Thousands | Millions |
|---|---|---|
[200] Rong atus [300] Telung atus [400] Patang atus [500] Limang atus [600] Nem atus [700] Pitung atus [800] Wolung atus [900] Sangang atus | [1000] Sewu [2000] Rong ewu [3000] Telung ewu [4000] Patang ewu [5000] Limang ewu [6000] Nem ewu [7000] Pitung ewu [8000] Wolung ewu [9000] Sangang ewu [10.000] Sepuluh ewu [100.000] Satus ewu | [1.000.000] Sak yuta / Sayuta [2.985.428] Rong yuta sangang atus wolung puluh lima ewu patang atus wolu likur [3.000.000] Telung yuta [9.275.863] Sangang yuta rong atus pitung puluh limang ewu wolung atus sewidak telu [ 1.000.000.000] Milyar (EN: Billion) [1.000.000.000.000.000] Biliyon (EN: Quadrillion) |
Bold numbers explained
In Javanese tradition, certain numbers carry symbolic meanings tied to phases of life. These interpretations often blend wordplay, cultural wisdom, and spiritual reflection.
[11] Sewelas: Duwe rasa welas, Welas asih (mercy)
A time of growing compassion and emotional awareness
[21] Selikur: Seneng lingguh kursi
Indicates the age of 21 years, which is considered the beginning of maturity.
[25] Selawe: Senenge lanang lan wedok, Selingan lan wewayangan (distractions and shadows)
A phase of romance, exploration, and identity
[50] Seket: Seneng kethunan
Wearing the peci/peci kethunan/seketan (Islamic head cover for males), symbolizing spiritual maturity
[60] Suwidak: Sejatine wis wayahe tindak
A time to prepare for returning to God
(Source: https://www.detik.com/jogja/budaya/d-7298680/filosofi-penyebutan-angka-11-21-25-50-dan-60-dalam-bahasa-jawa)
Nummerical expressions
Ordinal numbers, multiplicative numbers
Ordinal numbers (express order or position in a sequence) | Multiplicative numbers (express how many times something happens) |
|---|---|
Kaping is a marker used to indicate order or frequency. Instead of kaping you can also say ping, like ping loro. [1st] Kaping siji [2nd] Kaping loro [3rd] Kaping telu [4th] Kaping papat [5th] Kaping lima [6th] Kaping enem [7th] Kaping pitu [8th] Kaping wolu [9th] Kaping sanga [10th] Kaping sepuluh [11th] Kaping sewelas [12th] Kaping rolas [20th] Kaping rong puluh [100th] Kaping satus [1000th] Kaping sewu | [1x] Sepisan [2x] Kaping pindho (Note: The word pindho is a special form for “twice.” From three onward, the pattern follows kaping + number.) [3x] Kaping telu [4x] Kaping papat [5x] Kaping lima [10x] Kaping sepuluh
I only tried once.
They’ve come twice today.
I read that book three times before the exam.
I’ve called five times, but no one answered. |
Quantities
How much, how many
To indicate a number of items, the unmodified cardinal number is used, and it is placed after the noun.
How much | How maby |
|---|---|
I bought one kilo of sugar.
They have one hundred thousand rupiah.
The total price is two million.
I bought a motorbike that cost three million rupiah.
They saved up to five million rupiah for the trip.
|
I bought five apples, gave away two, now I have three left.
They bought ten breads, ate four, six are left.
I bought nine eggs, gave one to my neighbor, now I have eight.
Grandma bought three kilos of rice, gave one kilo to her child, now she has two kilos left.
I bought ten oranges, sold five, now I have five left. |
Measurements
Amounts, length, weight, distances, volume
When a specific measure or unit is indicated, the numbers one through nine take a modified form and are placed before the noun.
Amounts | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|
I bought one kilo of sugar.
They have one hundred thousand rupiah.
The total price is two million rupiah. |
This rope is ten meters long.
The building is 40 meters tall.
The paper is only 30 centimeters short. |
My cat weighs 5 kilos.
The bag weighs about 7 kilos.
This apple weighs 250 grams. |
Distance | Volume | Weight |
|---|---|---|
The market is 10 kilometers from my house.
The school is close, only 500 meters away.
I walk 2 kilometers every day. |
This glass contains 250 milliliters of water.
This orange contains 1 liter of juice.
The cooking oil left is 0.5 liters. |
I bought one kilo of tomatoes for 3.000 rupiah.
They bought ten eggs for 8.000 rupiah.
Grandma bought 2 kilos of rice for 3.000 rupiah. |
Time expressions
Clock reading, duration, fractional numbers
Clock reading | Clock reading | Duration |
|---|---|---|
Jam = Hour Menit = Minute Detik = Second(s) Setengah = Half (an hour) Seprapat = Quarter Kurang = Less Kurang seprapat = A quarter to Luwih = More Luwih seprapat = A quarter past Jam piro? = What time is it?
[1:00] Jam siji [11.30] Jam setengah rolas [1:45] Jam kurang seperapat loro [3:30] Jam setengah p apat [4:45] Jam kurang seprapat papat [5:10] Jam lima luwih sepuluh menit [6:50] Jam kurang sepuluh menit pitu [7:05] Jam pitu luwih lima menit [8:00] Jam wolu [8:30] Jam setengah sanga [10:20] Jam sepuluh luwih rong puluh menit
| Pirang jam? = How many hours? Pirang jam? Sejam (One hour) Pirang menit? Telung puluh menit (Thirty minutes) Pirang jam? Telung jam (3 hours]) Pirang menit? Satus menit (One hundred minutes) Pirang jam? Setengah jam (Half an hour) Pirang jam? Telu jam luwih seprapat (Three hours and a quarter) Pirang jam? Papat jam kurang sepuluh menit (Ten minutes to four hours) Pirang jam? Siji jam luwih limang menit (One hour and five minutes) Pirang menit? Sewidak menit (Sixty minutes) Pirang jam? Sepuluh jam (Ten hours)
[1 second] Siji detik [5 seconds] Limang detik [10 seconds] Sepuluh detik [15 seconds] Seperapat menit [30 seconds] Setengah menit [60 seconds] Sewidak detik | [1/2, one half] Setengah [1/3, one third] Sepertelu [1/4, one quarter] Seperapat [1/5, one fifth] Seperliman [1/6, one sixth] Seperaneman [1/7, one seventh] Seperapiton [1/8, one eighth] Seperawolon [1/9, 1 ninth] Seperasangan [1/10, ten percent] Sepuluh persen [1/11, 1 eleventh] Seperawelas [2/3, two third] Rongperatelon [3/4, three quarters] Telung perapat [2/3, two thirds] Loro pertelu [4/5, four fifth] Patperaliman
I only ate half a bread.
Grandma drank one third of a glass of herbal drink.
I bought three quarters of a kilo of sugar. |
Aksara Angka (Aksara Jawa)
Numerical symbols of the Javanese script
Aksara Angka refers to the numerals used in the Javanese script, which are distinct from the Arabic numerals used in modern daily life.
These numerals, like the script itself, are derived from ancient Indian Brahmi-based systems and were historically used to write Sanskrit and Old Javanese. The writing system used for Old Javanese is known as the Kawi script, a predecessor of modern Aksara Jawa. Over time, the script evolved stylistically and regionally, leading to the more rounded forms seen in contemporary Javanese writing, including its numeral system.
A dedicated page will be created to explore the history and structure of both Aksara Jawa and the Kawi script in more detail.
These numerals are part of the broader Aksara Jawa writing system and are still used in traditional contexts like calendars, literature, and ceremonial documents.
Angka as a seperate word, means "number".
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
꧑ | ꧒ | ꧓ | ꧔ | ꧕ |
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
꧖ | ꧗ | ꧘ | ꧙ | ꧐ |
In earlier times, people in Java used the Javanese script for writing. This script includes several types: the main syllabic script, the vowel-based swara script, the rekan script for foreign sounds, and the numeral script called wilangan.
The numeral script is used for writing numbers. It follows the same writing direction and spacing as other Javanese scripts. Each digit from 0 to 9 has its own symbol, shaped from modified Javanese letters. For example, 1 comes from ga, 2 and 3 from nga, 4 and 5 from ma, 6 from e, 7 from la, 8 from pa murda, 9 from ya, and 0 resembles the standard zero.
To avoid confusion with regular syllables, every number written in Aksara Angka must be enclosed by the symbol ꧇, known as the angka marker. This marker signals that the enclosed characters are numerals. For example, the year 2020 is written as ꧇꧒꧐꧒꧐꧇. If punctuation follows the number, the marker is written only once. In Javanese writing, a number might be followed by a dot (.) for the same reasons it would be in Latin script, to mark the end of a sentence, indicate an abbreviation, or show ordinal usage. In these cases, the angka marker ꧇ is placed only before the number, not after, because the punctuation (dot) follows immediately. This helps readers recognize the number while keeping the punctuation clean.
Javanese numbers can also be spelled out using syllables, but using numeral symbols makes the writing shorter. These numerals appear in dates, prices, addresses, and other contexts where numbers are needed. Javanese language includes multiple speech levels, such as ngoko, krama, and kawi. Each level has its own way of saying numbers, which reflects the social use of language.
This system shows how numbers are written, read, and understood in Javanese script. The angka marker ꧇ plays a key role in making the numerals clear.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWM7XoiUmY&list=PLPsmMoFqOcfYtK_xVGxzGEZaC3Fxbje17&index=2)
(Source: https://www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id/2023/02/08/aksara-angka-dan-cara-penulisannya-dengan-benar)
Case | Example in Aksara Jawa | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
Number alone | ꧇꧑꧙꧇ | Full number (19) enclosed with ꧇ before and after |
Number followed by a dot | ꧇꧑꧙. | Only one ꧇ before the number; no closing marker after the dot |
Number followed by a comma | ꧇꧔꧕, | Number 45. Only one ꧇ before the number; comma follows directly |
Two numbers separated by comma | ꧇꧑꧙꧇, ꧇꧒꧐꧑꧙꧇ | Numbers 19 and 2019 Each number is enclosed with its own pair of ꧇ markers |
Full date with punctuation | ꦱꦺꦤꦶꦤ꧀꧈꧇꧑꧙꧇ꦗꦤꦸꦮꦫꦶ꧇꧒꧐꧑꧙꧇ | Day and year are both enclosed; comma and other punctuation are outside |
Examples of numbers followed by a dot | ||
End of a sentence | ꧇꧑꧙. | Period after a number |
Ordinal number | ꧇꧑꧙. | “19th” (like in a list) |
Abbreviation | ꧇꧓. | “Chapter 3.” or “Vol. 2.” |