Breakdown of Silakan bertanya sekarang; pertanyaan apa pun akan dijawab singkat.
sekarang
now
akan
will
pertanyaan
the question
silakan
please
Questions & Answers about Silakan bertanya sekarang; pertanyaan apa pun akan dijawab singkat.
What exactly does silakan convey, and how is it different from tolong, mohon, harap, or mari?
- silakan: a polite invitation/permission (“please, go ahead”). It doesn’t sound like you’re asking for a favor.
- tolong: a request for help (“please help by …”), e.g., Tolong kirim email.
- mohon: very formal, humble request, often in writing or announcements, e.g., Mohon menunggu.
- harap: formal/impersonal “please” used on signs/instructions, e.g., Harap tenang.
- mari: “let’s,” inviting joint action, e.g., Mari mulai.
Why use bertanya instead of tanya? Are both correct?
Both are correct, but differ in tone:
- bertanya is the standard intransitive verb “to ask (a question).” More neutral/formal: Silakan bertanya.
- tanya is root/colloquial verb; perfectly natural in casual speech: Silakan tanya.
- Related forms: menanyakan (sesuatu) kepada (seseorang) = to ask about something (to someone). menanya is rare.
How natural is the semicolon here? Could I just use a period or comma?
A semicolon is fine and a bit formal in Indonesian, linking two closely related clauses. Alternatives:
- Period (most common): Silakan bertanya sekarang. Pertanyaan apa pun akan dijawab singkat.