Jablay / Pecun/ Pelacur 🔊

Usage examples

• Jangan bergaul sama dia, orangnya jablay banget.
  Don't hang out with her — she's a total easy slut.
• Di sini banyak yang nyebut cewek itu jablay karena kelakuannya.
  People around here call that girl jablay because of the way she acts.

Etymology

"Jablay" is Jakarta street slang, widely attributed to a contraction or playful distortion of "jarang dibelai" (rarely caressed/touched), implying a sexually desperate or easy woman. The term rose to broader national prominence after being popularized in a 2008 song by Indonesian pop singer Siti Badriah. "Pecun" is a rougher slang synonym from the same urban milieu, while "pelacur" is the standard Indonesian word for prostitute, derived from "lacur" (wretched, unfortunate).

Cultural notes

"Jablay" originated in the youth street culture of Jakarta (Betawi/Jakartan dialect) and spread nationally through pop culture. It targets women perceived as sexually available or promiscuous, and carries a strong social stigma in Indonesia's predominantly Muslim cultural context. "Pelacur" is the more formal and legal-register term for a sex worker, whereas "jablay" and "pecun" are dismissive slang with a sharper insult edge; all three are offensive in polite company.

Same meaning, other languages

Accuracy

82% of 22 voters say this translation is accurate.