Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Tunggulah di peron ini sampai kereta berikutnya tiba. - Wait on this platform until the next train arrives.

The particle -lah attached to a verb creates an emphatic or polite imperative.
It softens the directness of the command without losing its force.
So Tunggulah essentially means “please wait” or “do wait,” often used in formal notices.

Why is Tunggulah used instead of Menunggulah?

The root verb for “to wait” is tunggu.
In Indonesian imperatives, you normally drop the meN- prefix and use the bare root.
You then add -lah for emphasis, giving Tunggulah.

What does peron ini mean, and why isn’t it ini peron?

peron means “platform” (borrowed from European languages).
ini means “this.”
In Indonesian, demonstratives follow the noun, so peron ini = “this platform.”
ini peron would be ungrammatical for a demonstrative phrase.

What is the function of sampai here?

sampai acts as a preposition meaning “until.”
It links the main clause (wait on this platform) to the time clause (the next train arrives).
Without sampai, you wouldn’t convey the idea of waiting up to that point.

Why is it kereta berikutnya instead of kereta berikut or kereta selanjutnya?

berikut means “following” or “next.”
The suffix -nya turns it into “the next one,” so kereta berikutnya = “the next train.”
You could also say kereta selanjutnya; selanjutnya is a close synonym of berikutnya, used interchangeably in announcements.

What’s the difference between tiba and datang?

Both can mean “to arrive/come,” but tiba emphasizes the moment of arrival and is common in schedules or formal instructions.
datang is more general (“to come”) and used in everyday spoken contexts.

Can I change the word order, for example putting the time clause first?

Yes. Indonesian allows flexible word order for time and place. For example:
• Sampai kereta berikutnya tiba, tunggulah di peron ini.
This is equally correct; it simply emphasizes the waiting condition upfront.