Javanese Pegon
Pegon is most widely used to write Javanese, both for kitab notes and religious works. Arabi uses it as the main example for reading and writing practice.
Islamic Studies and the Nusantara Heritage
Lessons
The Pegon script is Arabic writing used to write Javanese, Sundanese, and Malay within the pesantren tradition of the Nusantara. The Arabi Method guides you to recognize the 28 hijaiyah (Arabic) letters, add the 6 letters unique to Pegon, then read and write sentences until you can interpret the classical kitab in the makna gandul (hanging gloss) style. One-on-one private, in person at your home or online.
- Calligraphers trained in the Arabi method
- Heritage of Nusantara pesantren writing
- Advance after passing each assessment
4 LevelsFrom recognizing letters to interpreting the kitab
6 Added LettersMarkers for sounds unique to Nusantara languages
Metode ArabiTrained calligraphers
Heard DirectlyYour writing is corrected every session
2 WaysIn person and onlineWhat is Pegon Script?
The Pegon script is Arabic writing used to write Javanese, Sundanese, and Malay, with 6 added letters for sounds that do not exist in Arabic. At Arabi, this skill is arranged across 4 levels of the Arabi Method, from recognizing the hijaiyah (Arabic) letters to interpreting the classical kitab in the makna gandul (hanging gloss) style.
Built on the same 28 hijaiyah letters used in reading the Quran.
Adds letters for the ca, pa, nga, nya, ga, and dha sounds unique to the Nusantara.
Uses harakat (vowel marks) to indicate the a, i, u, e, and o vowels consistently.
Used to interpret the classical kitab through makna gandul, a gloss that hangs beneath the Arabic text.
Pegon, the Written Heritage of Nusantara Pesantren
Pegon grew out of the Islamic scholarly tradition in the Nusantara. Arabi preserves its roots while teaching it in a structured way.
Sundanese Pegon
In the Sundanese lands, Pegon is used to write Sundanese with adjustments for certain sounds. Arabi introduces the spelling differences for those whose mother tongue is Sundanese.
Makna Gandul
Makna gandul is the way of giving meaning word by word beneath the Arabic text, written in small Pegon letters that hang at a slant. Arabi teaches how to read it at the advanced level.
Manuscripts and Printed Kitab
Many manuscripts and pesantren-published kitab are written in Pegon. This skill opens the door to reading the Islamic scholarly heritage of the Nusantara directly.
Arabi teaches Pegon as a living writing skill, grounded in a real tradition and carried through orderly steps of learning.
Four Pillars of the Arabi Method in Learning Pegon
How Arabi grows your ability to read and write Pegon neatly from the very start.
Built on Hijaiyah
Learning Pegon begins from the hijaiyah letters already familiar from reading the Quran, then the added letters are introduced one by one upon that foundation.
Writing While Reading
Every letter and word is practiced by reading it and writing it by hand at the same time. The initial, medial, and final forms of each letter are practiced so the joined writing is neat and legible.
Direct Correction
Your teacher listens to your reading and checks your writing every session. Mistakes in letter shape or spelling are corrected right then and repeated until they are right.
Step-by-Step Assessment
Before advancing a level, you complete reading and writing exercises graded on neatness, spelling accuracy, and reading fluency. You advance after passing.
The Flow of a Pegon Session, In Person or Online
In person or online, the heart of it is the same: your writing and reading are checked directly by your teacher.
In-Person Private
Your teacher comes to your home
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Initial Assessment
The first session checks how well you know the hijaiyah letters and harakat, to decide the right starting level.
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Recognizing and Writing Letters
Your teacher shows the shape of each letter, then you copy it into your practice book while sounding it out.
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Reading and Spelling
You read Pegon words and sentences, your teacher listens, and any spelling mistakes are corrected right then.
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Assessment and Report
When you are ready, you complete an assessment to advance a level, and you receive regular progress reports.
Online Private
Online practice through a video call
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Digital Whiteboard
Your teacher writes Pegon letters on a digital board that you watch live, then you copy them in your own practice book.
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Checking Writing Through the Camera
You show your handwriting through the camera, and your teacher corrects letter shape and spelling.
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Guided Reading Practice
You read Pegon text on screen at a pace suited to your ability, until you are fluent.
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Flexible Schedule
Fit study time to your routine, from morning to evening or on weekends, well suited to students and working people.
Four Pegon Levels, from Recognizing Letters to Interpreting the Kitab
Four progressive levels, each one preparing the next. You start at the level that fits you, then move up once you pass the assessment.
- Pegon 1
Letters and Harakat
You canrecognize the 28 hijaiyah letters and the vowel harakat for a, i, u, e, and o in Pegon.
- Initial, medial, and final forms of each letter
- Harakat fathah, kasrah, dhammah
- The e and o vowel markers unique to Pegon
- Pegon 2
The Six Added Letters
You canwrite and read the added letters for the ca, pa, nga, nya, ga, and dha sounds.
- The letters ca, pa, and ga
- The letters nga, nya, and dha
- Telling the added letters apart from their original hijaiyah forms
- Pegon 3
Words and Sentences
You canread and write whole words and sentences in Javanese or Sundanese using Pegon.
- Joining letters into connected words
- Writing simple sentences
- Reading short Pegon texts fluently
- Pegon 4
Interpreting the Kitab
You canread the makna gandul beneath the Arabic text and copy the meaning of words in Pegon.
- Reading the slanted makna gandul writing
- Recognizing word-function markers such as utawi and iku
- Copying word meanings beneath the Arabic text
Each level uses only the letters and rules already taught, so you read and write correctly from the very first exercise.
A Sample of Arabi Method Pegon Material
A glimpse of what you study, from the added letters to the vowel markers unique to Pegon.
The Six Added Pegon Letters
چ ca ڤ pa ݢ ga ڠ nga ۑ nya ڎ dha
Letters for sounds that do not exist in Arabic.
Pegon Vowel Markers
بَ ba بِ bi بُ bu بٛ be بَا bo
Five vowel sounds marked with harakat and added signs.
Example Javanese Pegon Words
كِتَاب kitab اِيكُو iku اَنَا ana وَوْچَن wacan
Simple words spelled from the letters already learned.
This sample is only a first impression. The full material is given level by level as you progress.
A Fitting Starting Point for Every Learner
A leveled curriculum. Your child moves up only after mastering each stage, so the foundation stays solid.
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Santri and Students
School age- Reading kitab notes in Pegon
- Writing tidy ngaji assignments
- Following classical kitab lessons at school
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Adult Beginners
19 years and above- Starting from the hijaiyah letters with ease
- One-on-one private
- A flexible schedule
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Classical Kitab Enthusiasts
Any age- Reading makna gandul independently
- Copying word meanings in Pegon
- Opening the heritage of Nusantara manuscripts
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Teachers and Culture Advocates
Any age- Writing Pegon with neat, correct rules
- Reading old manuscripts and kitab
- Preserving the written heritage of the Nusantara
What the Lessons Cover, Layer by Layer
Module 1
Hijaiyah Letters and Their Joined Forms
Reviewing the 28 hijaiyah letters and practicing the initial, medial, and final forms when letters are joined. This stage makes sure your handwriting is legible before moving on to the added letters.
- The 28 hijaiyah letters
- Initial, medial, and final forms
- Joining letters within a single word
Module 2
The Six Added Letters and Vowel Harakat
Learning the letters ca, pa, nga, nya, ga, and dha, then the vowel markers for a, i, u, e, and o. The added letters are practiced separately from their original hijaiyah forms so their sounds are not confused.
- The letters ca, pa, ga, nga, nya, dha
- Harakat fathah, kasrah, dhammah
- The e and o vowel markers
Module 3
Reading and Writing Sentences
Joining words into Javanese or Sundanese sentences written in Pegon. You practice reading short texts while also writing your own sentences with correct spelling.
- Joining words into sentences
- Reading short Pegon texts
- Writing sentences with correct spelling
Module 4
Interpreting the Kitab with Makna Gandul
Learning how to read word meanings written at a slant, hanging beneath the Arabic text. Word-function markers such as utawi, iku, and kelawan are introduced so the meaning of the sentence reads as a whole.
- Reading the slanted makna gandul writing
- Word-function markers
- Copying word meanings beneath the Arabic text
Guidance in Seeking Knowledge
اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ
Iqra' bismi rabbikalladzi khalaq
Read in the name of your Lord who created.
The command to read is the foundation of the manners of learning at Arabi. The Pegon script opens one more door to reading the Islamic scholarly heritage of the Nusantara.
Who This Pegon Script Course Is For
There is always a way to read and write Pegon, from those just getting to know the letters to those who wish to master interpreting the kitab. The first session begins with a friendly assessment to choose the right starting level for you.
Santri and Pesantren Students
Strengthening the ability to write kitab notes and read makna gandul, so that classical kitab lessons at the pesantren or school are easier to follow.
Adults Who Want to Learn from Scratch
Starting calmly from the hijaiyah letters, accompanied by a personal teacher until you can read and write Pegon with ease at a flexible time.
Classical Kitab Enthusiasts
Sharpening the ability to read makna gandul independently, so you can study kitab and manuscripts in Javanese or Sundanese without always depending on a translation.
Teachers and Culture Keepers
Mastering the rules of neat Pegon writing for teaching or reading old manuscripts, helping keep the written heritage of Islam in the Nusantara alive.
Signs You Are Ready to Begin Learning Pegon
The Pegon script can be learned from recognizing the letters all the way to reading the kitab. The signs below give a picture of your starting foundation, and your teacher sets the level through a light assessment.
Ready to Begin
- You recognize most of the hijaiyah letters even if not yet fluently
- You can read the harakat fathah, kasrah, and dhammah
- You are interested in reading kitab notes or Pegon manuscripts
Starting from the Basics
- You want to get to know the hijaiyah letters first
- You have a regular slot of one 60-minute session per week
- You are willing to practice handwriting at home
What Arabi Provides
- A friendly assessment in the first session
- Level placement that fits your ability
- Writing practice sheets and example Pegon texts
Arabi Private Pegon Weighed Against Other Ways
The heart of learning Pegon properly is that your writing and reading are checked and then corrected by a teacher. Here is an honest comparison of a few options, so you can choose the right path.
| Aspect | Arabi Private | Self-Study | Learning Briefly in a Large Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing correction | Checked and corrected every session | Wrong letter shapes are often carried on | Limited turns for correction because one teacher has many students |
| Added Pegon letters | Practiced separately until they are not confused | Easily mixed up with their original hijaiyah forms | Depends on the teacher's attention to each student |
| Learning level | Adjusts to each learner's ability | Depends on personal discipline | Pace follows the class |
| Interpreting the kitab | Guided to read makna gandul step by step | Hard to grasp alone without a guide | Rarely reaches the stage of interpreting the kitab |
| Progress report | Regular reports on your progress | You track it yourself | Depends on the institution's policy |
Transparent Cost
The price is the same for all cities. Learn privately at home or online. Contact Arabi for a free initial assessment.
Coba 4 sesi
Rp 292.000 Rp 73.000 / session Choose This Package Reguler 8 sesi
Rp 560.000 Rp 70.000 / session Choose This Package Intensif 12 sesi
Rp 816.000 Rp 68.000 / session Choose This Package Tuntas 24 sesi
Rp 1.572.000 Rp 65.500 / session Choose This Package Or pay per session: Rp 55.100 online, Rp 72.870 private, tutor visits your home.
The Arabi Advantage
What Makes Learning Pegon at Arabi Different
Three strengths that support every Pegon session of yours.
Built on Hijaiyah
Pegon is built on the same hijaiyah letters used in reading the Quran, so your ability to read the Quran and write Pegon strengthen one another.
Added Letters Practiced Specially
The six added Pegon letters are practiced separately from their original hijaiyah forms, so their shapes and sounds are not confused while writing.
All the Way to Interpreting the Kitab
The advanced level guides you to read makna gandul, so your Pegon ability is truly put to use for studying the classical kitab.
Ways to Learn Pegon
In-Person Private
60 minutes per session
Contact us
- Your teacher comes to your home
- Full focus, one-on-one
- Your writing and reading checked directly
- Flexible timing, even on weekends
Online Private
60 minutes per session
Contact us
- Online practice through a video call
- Your teacher writes on a shared digital board
- Your handwriting checked through the camera
- Pegon writing practice sheets accessible through the Arabi App
Our Promise in Every Pegon Lesson
Writing Checked Every Session
Your teacher checks the letter shapes and spelling of your handwriting and corrects them directly, so your Pegon writing is neat and legible.
Reading and Writing Side by Side
Each letter and word is practiced by reading it and writing it, so the ability to read and write grow together.
Advance After Passing the Assessment
You move up after passing the reading and writing assessment, so the foundation of each stage is tested before you step forward.
Progress at Your Own Pace
Each part is honed again and again until it sticks, at a pace that adjusts to each learner's ability.
Examples from Real Texts
Practice uses words and sentences from real kitab and manuscripts, so the learning feels directly useful.
A Summary of Progress at Each Stage
You receive regular notes on the material studied, your progress, and the goals for the next level.
Teachers Who Guide with Heart
Arabi's Pegon teachers are experts in Arabic and in reading the Quran, selected from a range of campuses and universities, then nurtured to the standard of the Arabi Method. They bring real skill in writing and reading, command of the Arabi Method, and the heart of an educator who guides with manners (adab) and patience.
Expert and Capable National network
Skilled in the hijaiyah letters, the added Pegon letters, and the rules of their spelling, so your writing and reading are guided correctly.
- Pegon Script
- Arabic
- Handwriting
Trained in the Arabi Method Campus graduates
Understands the flow of the four Pegon levels, how to practice the added letters separately, and how to assess readiness through step-by-step evaluation.
- The Arabi Method
- Level assessment
- Makna gandul
A Teacher at Heart In person and online
Guides with patience and manners (adab), adjusting the pace for the beginner just getting to know the letters and for the santri who wishes to interpret the kitab.
- Guiding beginners
- Guiding santri
- Manners of learning
Stories from Santri and Learners
4.9
I used to struggle to read the makna gandul in the kitab. After being guided privately, I can now follow the classical kitab lessons without always waiting for a translation.
I started from the hijaiyah letters because I wanted to read my grandfather's Pegon notes. The teacher is patient and my writing is always corrected every session.
The online class turned out to be comfortable. The teacher writes on a digital board and I show my handwriting through the camera, and the schedule is flexible in the evening too.
Questions About Learning the Pegon Script at Arabi
What is the Pegon script and how does it differ from ordinary Arabic writing?
The Pegon script is Arabic writing used to write Javanese, Sundanese, and Malay. Its letters are built on the same 28 hijaiyah letters used in reading the Quran, then six letters are added for sounds that do not exist in Arabic, such as ca, pa, and nga. Vowel markers for e and o are also used so the languages of the Nusantara can be written accurately.
I am not yet fluent in reading the Quran, can I still learn Pegon?
Yes, and the first session will determine the right starting point. Because Pegon uses the same hijaiyah letters, the Pegon 1 level begins with recognizing the letters and harakat so you can build the foundation first. Many of Arabi's adult learners start from scratch and grow until they can read Pegon texts fluently.
What are the six added letters in Pegon?
The six added Pegon letters mark sounds that do not exist in Arabic, namely ca, pa, ga, nga, nya, and dha. These letters are formed from similar hijaiyah letters by adding dots, for example ca from jim and pa from fa. At Arabi, these added letters are practiced separately at the Pegon 2 level so their shapes and sounds are not confused with the original letters.
What is the makna gandul taught at the advanced level?
Makna gandul is the way of giving meaning word by word beneath the Arabic text in a kitab, written small and at a slant so it appears to hang. This tradition is used in pesantren to understand the classical kitab. At the Pegon 4 level, you are guided to read this slanted writing and to recognize word-function markers such as utawi and iku so the meaning of the sentence reads as a whole.
Is Pegon for Javanese and Sundanese taught differently?
The basics are the same, namely the hijaiyah letters and the added letters. The difference lies in certain sounds and spellings unique to each language. Arabi's teachers adjust the example words and sentences to your mother tongue, whether Javanese or Sundanese, so the practice feels close and directly useful in everyday life.
How long does it usually take to be able to read Pegon text?
Every learner is different, shaped by their starting point and the steadiness of their writing practice. With four sequential levels and writing checked privately every session, many learners can already read short words and sentences within a few weeks. The teacher gives regular reports so you can see your progress.
Can the Pegon lessons be taken online?
Yes. Arabi's online sessions are run through a video call with a digital whiteboard. The teacher writes Pegon letters that you watch live, then you show your handwriting through the camera to be checked. The times can be set at your most open hours, including after work or on holidays, easy for those with busy schedules.