Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Guru melarang kami makan di ruang kelas. - The teacher forbids us to eat in the classroom.

kami = we/us (excluding the person you’re talking to).
kita = we/us (including the person you’re talking to). Using kami signals the prohibition applies to the speaker’s group but not necessarily the addressee. If the listener is part of the group (e.g., a classmate), you could say Guru melarang kita makan di ruang kelas.

Why is there no word like “to” before makan?

Indonesian often uses a bare verb after verbs of ordering/permission: melarang/menyuruh/meminta [object] [verb]. So melarang kami makan is the normal pattern. You may see untuk inserted (melarang kami untuk makan), which is acceptable in many contexts but often omitted as unnecessary.

Is makan here a verb or a noun (like “eating”)?

It’s a verb. Indonesian doesn’t need a gerund form after verbs like melarang; the base verb (makan) functions as a non-finite complement (“forbid [someone] [to eat]”).

Can I drop kami and just say Guru melarang makan di ruang kelas?

Yes, but it changes the meaning. Guru melarang makan di ruang kelas states a general rule (“forbids eating in the classroom” in general). With kami, the prohibition is directed at a specific group (“forbids us to eat…”).

How would I say it in a passive or “sign” style?

General sign style: Dilarang makan di ruang kelas. (“No eating in the classroom.”)
Passive with a subject: Kami dilarang makan di ruang kelas. (“We are forbidden to eat in the classroom.”)

Is untuk ever required after melarang?

No. Melarang [object] [verb] is already complete. Melarang [object] untuk [verb] is common and acceptable, but many editors prefer the shorter form unless untuk really clarifies something. Avoid melarang untuk [verb] when there’s a clear person being forbidden—include the object: melarang kami untuk makan or just melarang kami makan.

Should I add tidak after melarang, like melarang kami untuk tidak makan?

No—that creates a double negative (“forbids us not to eat,” i.e., tells us to eat). To express prohibition, use:

melarang kami makan (or melarang kami untuk makan),
or the passive/sign forms (dilarang makan, tidak boleh makan). Don’t add tidak to the verb after melarang unless you truly mean the opposite.

Why is di written separately in di ruang kelas but attached in dilarang?

di as a preposition (“at/in”) is written separately: di ruang kelas.
di- as a passive prefix attaches to the verb: dilarang. So spacing shows whether di is a preposition or a prefix.

Does guru mean “a teacher” or “the teacher” here?

Indonesian has no articles. guru can be indefinite or definite depending on context. If you need to mark it:

Indefinite: seorang guru (“a teacher”).
Definite: guru itu or gurunya (“that/the teacher”).
Plural: para guru (“the teachers”) or rely on context.

What’s the nuance difference between di ruang kelas and di kelas?

di ruang kelas focuses on the physical room (the classroom space).
di kelas can mean “in class” (during the lesson) or “in the classroom,” depending on context. Use ruang kelas if you specifically mean the room itself.

How do I show past, present, or habitual meaning?

The sentence is tenseless; context decides. Add time/aspect words if needed:

Past: tadi, kemarin, tadi pagi; or sudah/telah melarang.
Habitual: sering, selalu.
Ongoing now: sedang usually isn’t used with melarang; instead specify time or context.

Is melarang formal? What are friendlier alternatives?

Melarang is neutral to firm. Softer or alternative options:

Tidak boleh makan di ruang kelas.
Jangan makan di ruang kelas. (direct imperative: “Don’t eat …”)
Harap tidak makan di ruang kelas. (polite: “Please refrain from eating …”)

Can I use mencegah instead of melarang?

Not usually. melarang = to forbid (a rule/command). mencegah = to prevent/stop something from happening (often by action). They’re related but not interchangeable in this sentence.

Is the word order fixed? Could I say Guru melarang makan kami di ruang kelas?

Keep the order as melarang [object] [verb]: Guru melarang kami makan …. Melarang makan kami would mean “forbid eating us,” which is ungrammatical in meaning. Don’t separate kami from its role as the person being forbidden to perform makan.