Darah biru
Blue blood
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'Darah biru' to describe someone born into a noble or royal family, highlighting their high social lineage.
- Means: Being of noble birth or belonging to an aristocratic family line.
- Used in: Formal introductions, historical discussions, or gossiping about high-society weddings.
- Don't confuse: Being 'rich' (orang kaya) with 'darah biru' (noble heritage).
Explanation at your level:
Bedeutung
Coming from a noble family
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Java, 'darah biru' is often associated with the Keraton (Palace) of Yogyakarta and Surakarta. People with this status often use specific language levels (Krama) that others might not master. Bali has a caste system (Tri Wangsa). While 'darah biru' is a general term, in Bali it specifically refers to the Brahmana, Ksatria, and Waisya castes. In South Sulawesi, the concept of 'darah biru' is tied to the 'Andi' title. Lineage is extremely important for marriage and social standing in Bugis culture. In cities like Jakarta, 'darah biru' is sometimes used to describe the 'Old Money' families who have been influential since the colonial or early independence era.
Use with 'Keturunan'
It sounds most natural when you say 'keturunan darah biru' (descendant of blue blood).
Not for Wealth
Don't use it for someone who just became rich. They will think you are confused about their family tree!
Bedeutung
Coming from a noble family
Use with 'Keturunan'
It sounds most natural when you say 'keturunan darah biru' (descendant of blue blood).
Not for Wealth
Don't use it for someone who just became rich. They will think you are confused about their family tree!
Respect the Titles
If someone is 'darah biru', they might have a title like 'RM' (Raden Mas). Using the title is more important than calling them 'darah biru' to their face.
Historical Context
Use this phrase when visiting Yogyakarta or Solo to show you understand the local culture.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct meaning of 'darah biru' in this sentence: 'Sultan itu adalah seorang darah biru.'
What does 'darah biru' mean here?
'Darah biru' specifically refers to noble or royal lineage.
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
Meskipun dia hidup sederhana, kakeknya adalah seorang raja, jadi dia adalah keturunan _______.
'Darah biru' is the idiom for royal descent. 'Darah tinggi' means high blood pressure!
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 'Kenapa dia punya gelar Raden?' | B: 'Karena dia berasal dari keluarga _______.'
Titles like 'Raden' are markers of 'darah biru' (nobility).
Match the situation to the correct use of 'darah biru'.
Which situation best fits the use of 'darah biru'?
Lineage and historical connection to royalty are the key factors.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Darah Biru vs. Orang Kaya
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it is generally a respectful or neutral term. However, if used with a sarcastic tone, it can imply someone is acting 'too good' for others.
Yes! Any Indonesian ethnic group with a history of kingdoms (like the Bugis, Balinese, or Malays) can have 'darah biru'.
The opposite is 'rakyat jelata' (common people) or 'orang biasa'.
In modern business, not much. But in social circles and marriage, lineage still carries weight for some families.
It is always 'darah biru'. Indonesian adjectives usually follow the noun.
In an Indonesian context, the term is usually reserved for those with Indonesian royal heritage, but you can use it to describe foreign royals (like the British Royal Family) in Indonesian.
Close, but not exactly. 'Old Money' is about long-term wealth; 'Darah biru' is specifically about royal/noble titles.
You say 'Dia berdarah biru' or 'Dia keturunan darah biru'.
Yes, it is very common in journalism and literature.
Because of the historical European origin where pale skin showed blue veins. Gold is used in other idioms like 'anak emas' (favorite child).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Keturunan ningrat
synonymOf noble descent
Kaum bangsawan
similarThe aristocracy
Anak emas
contrastGolden child / favorite
Orang kaya baru
contrastNouveau riche
Priyayi
similarThe upper class / administrative elite
Wo du es verwendest
Watching a Royal Wedding
A: Wah, pengantinnya cantik sekali ya?
B: Iya, dia kan memang darah biru dari Solo.
History Class
Guru: Siapa yang tahu latar belakang Pangeran Diponegoro?
Murid: Beliau adalah seorang darah biru dari Keraton Yogyakarta, Pak.
Reading a Novel
Pembaca: Kenapa tokoh ini sangat dihormati?
Teman: Karena di bab pertama dijelaskan dia keturunan darah biru.
Gossip at a Cafe
Siska: Katanya pacar barunya itu orang biasa?
Maya: Bukan, dia sebenarnya darah biru, tapi tidak mau pamer.
Visiting a Palace (Keraton)
Turis: Apakah semua yang bekerja di sini darah biru?
Pemandu: Tidak semua, tapi para petinggi biasanya memang darah biru.
Job Interview (Contextual)
Pewawancara: Anda memiliki nama keluarga yang unik.
Kandidat: Benar, itu adalah gelar dari keluarga darah biru kami di Sulawesi.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Blue Ribbon' (Biru) given to the best 'Bloodline' (Darah).
Visual Association
Imagine a king wearing a crown, but instead of red blood in his veins, you see bright neon blue ink flowing through them like a royal pen.
Rhyme
Darah biru, anak ratu. (Blue blood, child of a queen.)
Story
A young man named Raden enters a village. He is humble, but the elders bow. Why? Because his 'Darah' is 'Biru'. He doesn't have a blue face, but he has a royal heart and a king for a grandfather.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to find one historical figure from Indonesia and check if they are 'darah biru'. Write one sentence about them using the phrase.
In Other Languages
Sangre azul
In Spanish, it's the historical origin; in Indonesian, it's a borrowed concept applied to local sultans.
Sang bleu
French usage is often more tied to the pre-revolutionary era.
Blaues Blut
German often uses it in the phrase 'Blaues Blut in den Adern haben' (to have blue blood in the veins).
青い血 (Aoi chi)
It is rarely used in natural Japanese conversation compared to Indonesian.
دم أزرق (Dam azraq)
Traditional Arabic has many other terms for lineage (Nasab) that are more common.
蓝血 (Lán xuè)
The meaning has shifted from literal royalty to 'top-tier commercial prestige'.
푸른 피 (Pureun pi)
Used more in translated literature than in daily life.
Sangue azul
Very common in Brazilian and Portuguese social commentary.
Easily Confused
Both start with 'Darah' (Blood).
Darah biru is about royalty; Darah tinggi is a medical condition (high blood pressure).
Both describe a type of 'blood'.
Darah muda refers to the passion and energy of youth, not social status.
FAQ (10)
No, it is generally a respectful or neutral term. However, if used with a sarcastic tone, it can imply someone is acting 'too good' for others.
Yes! Any Indonesian ethnic group with a history of kingdoms (like the Bugis, Balinese, or Malays) can have 'darah biru'.
The opposite is 'rakyat jelata' (common people) or 'orang biasa'.
In modern business, not much. But in social circles and marriage, lineage still carries weight for some families.
It is always 'darah biru'. Indonesian adjectives usually follow the noun.
In an Indonesian context, the term is usually reserved for those with Indonesian royal heritage, but you can use it to describe foreign royals (like the British Royal Family) in Indonesian.
Close, but not exactly. 'Old Money' is about long-term wealth; 'Darah biru' is specifically about royal/noble titles.
You say 'Dia berdarah biru' or 'Dia keturunan darah biru'.
Yes, it is very common in journalism and literature.
Because of the historical European origin where pale skin showed blue veins. Gold is used in other idioms like 'anak emas' (favorite child).
