jaman

Jaman is a term that appears in several languages as a noun meaning an era, age, or period. In standard Malay and Indonesian, the most common form for this idea is zaman, borrowed from Arabic zamān; in local speech and older texts, the variant jaman is encountered as well. The semantic link is time, duration, or a historical epoch. In historical and cultural writing, jaman or zaman is used to distinguish different periods by social norms, technology, and events.

Etymology: The word derives from Arabic zamān, with cognates in Persian zamān and Turkish zaman. The Malay/Indonesian spelling has sometimes shifted between z and j due to transliteration, pronunciation, and regional variation.

Usage: In everyday speech you may hear jaman dahulu or jaman now to refer to the past or present era, though in formal contexts zaman is preferred. In literature and media, phrases invoking a particular jaman can evoke nostalgia or critique of a given epoch.

Names: Jaman is used as a given name or surname in some communities, reflecting the broader semantic association with time or heritage. Name usage varies by country and language.

Geography and culture: There are no widely recognized places named Jaman in global geography; when appearing, it is typically a local toponym or a personal name.

See also: Zaman; Jaman (name).