Tarik pintu itu.

that

Breakdown of Tarik pintu itu.

• pintu: the door
• tarik: to pull

Questions & Answers about Tarik pintu itu.

What does the verb tarik mean in this sentence, and why is it used in its simple form?

Tarik means "pull." In Indonesian imperatives, the base form of the verb is used directly to issue a command. There’s no need for subject or additional conjugation, so tarik clearly instructs someone to pull.

How does pintu itu function in the sentence?

Pintu means "door" and itu means "that." Combined, they refer to a specific door. In this command, pintu itu acts as the direct object—the thing that should be pulled.

Why is the subject omitted in “Tarik pintu itu”?

Indonesian often omits the subject in imperative sentences. The command is understood to be directed at the listener (typically meaning "you"), so there’s no need to explicitly include it.

Can you make this command more polite? If so, how would you modify the sentence?

Yes, you can add tolong at the beginning to make it more polite. For example, Tolong tarik pintu itu translates to "Please pull that door," softening the command.

How does the word order in “Tarik pintu itu” compare to typical English commands?

Both Indonesian and English commonly use a verb–object structure for commands. In English, you would say “Pull that door,” which aligns with the structure of tarik (verb) followed by pintu itu (object). However, Indonesian commands often omit the subject altogether, making the sentence more concise.