Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Perlukah kita menunda acara itu, atau barangkali acara itu diadakan besok pagi? - Do we need to postpone the event, or perhaps have it held tomorrow morning?

-kah attaches to the preceding word (no space) to form a yes–no question with a formal or deliberative tone. Perlukah kita … ≈ Apakah kita perlu …, but Perlukah can sound slightly more rhetorical. In casual speech you’ll also hear Apa kita perlu …?

Why use perlu and not harus?

Perlu means “need/necessary” (softer, open to discussion), while harus means “must/obligatory” (stronger). Haruskah kita menunda …? asks whether it’s a requirement; Perlukah …? asks whether it’s advisable/needed.

Why menunda and not tunda or ditunda?

Menunda is the active verb “to postpone (something).” Tunda is the bare root, often used in commands (e.g., Tunda dulu!) or compounds (e.g., penundaan “postponement”). Ditunda is passive: Acara itu ditunda “the event is postponed.”

Why is the second clause …acara itu diadakan…? Could I use an active form for symmetry?

Yes. Diadakan is passive (“is/was/will be held”). For symmetry with kita you can say: …atau barangkali kita mengadakan acara itu besok pagi? Another natural option is …atau barangkali acara itu kita adakan besok pagi?

Why is kita used instead of kami?

Kita includes the listener (“we + you”), which fits a joint decision. Kami excludes the listener and would sound odd if you’re inviting them to decide.

What’s the nuance of barangkali versus mungkin?

Both mean “perhaps/maybe.” Barangkali is a bit more formal or tentative; mungkin is the default and more common in everyday speech. You can say …atau mungkin… with the same meaning.

Do I need to repeat acara itu in the second clause? Can I avoid the repetition?

Repeating acara itu is fine and clear. You can avoid repetition with a pronoun: …atau barangkali mengadakannya besok pagi? Elliptical …atau barangkali diadakan besok pagi? is also heard; in formal writing, keep the subject explicit.

Does diadakan mean “will be held”? How is tense shown here?

Indonesian verbs don’t inflect for tense. Time comes from context or time words. Here, besok pagi (“tomorrow morning”) makes diadakan future; without a time word it could be past/present/future.

Is besok pagi the same as pagi besok?

Yes, both mean “tomorrow morning.” Besok pagi is more common; pagi besok can sound slightly more formal or emphatic.

How do I say “postpone it to tomorrow morning” explicitly?

Use a preposition of endpoint: Menundanya sampai/hingga besok pagi or passive Acara itu ditunda sampai/hingga besok pagi. Many speakers also say mengundur ke besok pagi (colloquial); sampai/hingga is safer in formal use.

Is the comma before atau necessary?

It’s optional. The comma signals a pause between alternatives. Perlukah kita menunda acara itu, atau barangkali … and the version without the comma are both acceptable.

Any more natural ways to offer the alternative as a suggestion?

Common, natural options:

Bagaimana kalau besok pagi saja?
Gimana kalau kita adakan besok pagi?
Mungkin sebaiknya besok pagi?

Are other word orders okay in the passive clause?

Yes, all are fine:

Acara itu diadakan besok pagi.
Besok pagi acara itu diadakan.
Acara itu besok pagi diadakan. The first is the most neutral.

Can I use itu, tersebut, or -nya with acara? What’s the difference?

All can refer back to a known event. Acara itu is neutral/everyday, acara tersebut is more formal/technical, and -nya attaches to the verb to avoid repeating the noun (e.g., menundanya, mengadakannya).