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Definition of ngoko

ngoko

/ˈŋoʊ.koʊ/
ngo · ko
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ngoko Lexical Profile

• noun

1

The informal or familiar register of the Javanese language, traditionally used when addressing individuals of equal or lower social status, younger people, or close friends.

Example

"When chatting with his childhood friends at the market, he naturally switched to ngoko."

Antonyms
View all antonyms for ngoko

Word Nuance & Usage

Strictly contrasts with 'krama', the formal or polite register of Javanese; its usage is heavily dictated by complex social hierarchies, age differences, and relational intimacy.

• Rhymes for ngoko

• Nearby Words

newton
next
ngaruroro
ngoko
ngoko river
niacin
niagara

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Javanese 'ngoko', denoting the informal level of speech, historically derived from the use of the informal second-person pronoun 'kowe' (you).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ngoko. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ngoko
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