Film dimulai pukul delapan.

The film starts at eight o'clock.

Breakdown of Film dimulai pukul delapan.

• film: the film
• pukul delapan: eight o'clock
• dimulai: to start

Questions & Answers about Film dimulai pukul delapan.

What’s the difference between mulai and dimulai in this sentence?

Both relate to “starting,” but mulai is the basic (active/intransitive) verb “to begin,” while dimulai is its passive form, literally “is begun” or “is started.”
• Film mulai pukul delapan = “The film begins/starts at eight.” (focus on the subject doing the action)
• Film dimulai pukul delapan = “The film is started/does start at eight.” (focus on the event or schedule)

What does pukul do in this sentence?

pukul is a time marker equivalent to English “o’clock” or “at” when specifying clock time. You always say pukul + number to state “at eight,” “at nine,” etc.

Do I need to include pada before pukul delapan?

No, it’s not required.
• Informal/neutral: Film dimulai pukul delapan.
• More formal or written: Film dimulai pada pukul delapan.
Both are correct; omitting pada is more common in speech.

Can I add an explicit demonstrative or article, like “that film”?

Yes. You can say Film itu dimulai pukul delapan (“That film starts at eight”). Adding itu simply specifies “that one,” but does not change the structure otherwise.

Is it possible to use jam instead of pukul?

In everyday conversation, yes: Jam delapan is perfectly natural (“eight o’clock”). In formal or written announcements, pukul is preferred for clarity and precision.

How would I say “The film starts at 8:30”?

Several options exist:

• Film dimulai pukul delapan lewat tiga puluh menit. (literally “eight past thirty minutes”)
• Film dimulai pukul delapan tiga puluh. (less common)
• Film dimulai pukul setengah sembilan. (literally “half nine,” i.e. half past eight)
• Film dimulai pukul 8.30. (using digits; common in schedules)

Can the time expression come at the beginning of the sentence?

Yes. Placing the adverbial time phrase first is grammatical, though it feels more formal or emphatic:
• Pukul delapan film dimulai.
This simply shifts focus: “At eight, the film starts.”