English

Noun

jambu ‎(plural jambus)

1. Alternative form of jambul

Etymology 2

Semantic extension from Malay, jambu which originated from Sanskrit जाम्बव (jāmbava); a fruit or a rose apple.

Pronunciation

• (Singapore) IPA^(key): /ˈdʒʌmbʊ/

Adjective

jambu ‎(comparative more jambu, superlative most jambu)

1. (Singapore, colloquial, informal) Cute, adorable or beautiful.
   • 2000 2 December, m0bius, soc.culture.singapore

     You discover that she has SISTERS, who are also very jambu.

   • 2007 27 August, http://her-whimsical-escapade.blogspot.sg

     She has this healthy glow, almost like she's golden skinned, but oh so jambu lah!

   • 2008 26 July, CR[7], Singapore Bikes Forum

     got this mat saleh soooo jambu.

   • 2011 9 April, Salmah, DACE Oct 2010

     Add me pls . There are only 5 Salmah Samions ! The most jambu looking profile is me lah !

   • 2014 16 October, https://faithinloveandyou.wordpress.com

     I also wanna look jambu also what on that 2-day event.

   • 2014 6 December, theatelierweddings, Instagram

     My very jambu Shahida for her engagement today. I have a thing for braces girls.

   • 2015 1 August, figo16, Singapore Hardware Zone Forum

     don't sabo that minah jambu lah.

   • 2015 21 December, Farhan, All Singapore Stuff

     A reader has shared with us a Facebook post by jambu ICA officer Adilla Ramli. She gives her view on the recent ICA jams.

Usage notes

Used to describe women. Does not have any sexual innuendo. Commonly found in speech and electronic media. Uncommon in newspapers and print materials.

Javanese

Etymology

From Old Javanese jambu ‎(“rose apple tree and fruit”), from Sanskrit जम्बु ‎(jambu), जम्बू ‎(jambū).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈjam.bu/
• Hyphenation: jam‧bu
• Rhymes: -bu, -u

Noun

jambu ‎(Javanese script ꦗꦩ꧀ꦧꦸ)

1. rose apple tree
   • 1932 January 6, Kajawèn, Balai Pustaka, page 25:

     [...] / anadéné kang watara tebih / saka papan pomahan prayoga / tandurana jambu baé / slundhingana wit dhuku / —

2. rose apple fruit
   • 1939 March 10, Kajawèn, Balai Pustaka, page 40:

     Sukris gelem kèri ana ngomah yèn dicepaki wajik sapiring lan mengko diolèh-olèhi salak, jambu karo gethuk lindri.

3. (card games) heart
4. homosexual relation
5. pink
   • 1995, K.R.M. Arya Yasadipura, Pangageman Kajawèn Surakarta Tumrap Kakung, page 8:

     Sabuk warni jambu, èpèk warni cemeng èpèk warni biru wungu, nama naréndra tama, watak saha wanci ngagemipun: sabar, menep, siyang, dalu.

Derived terms

Synonyms

• jambet (honorific)

Old Javanese

Etymology

From Sanskrit जम्बु ‎(jambu), जम्बू ‎(jambū).

Noun

jambu

1. rose apple tree and its fruit
   • Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa, 145.5:

     Hana ta jambu si Sudarśana ṅaranya, tumuwuh karnah kidul.

Pali

Alternative forms

Etymology

Sanskrit जम्बु ‎(jambu).

Noun

jambu f

1. the rose apple tree

Declension

Polish

Noun

jambu

1. genitive singular of jamb