Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Lampu di kamar kurang terang. - The lamp in the room is not bright enough.

In Indonesian, adjectives can be the predicate without a linking verb. The predicate here is kurang terang. You don’t use adalah before adjectives in simple statements like this. Compare: Lampu di kamar terang (The light in the room is bright).

What does kurang mean here, exactly? Is it “less,” “not enough,” or “not very”?

Here, kurang is a degree adverb meaning “not … enough / not very / insufficiently.” So kurang terang = “not bright enough.” It’s common with adjectives: kurang jelas (not clear enough), kurang enak (not tasty enough).

Is kurang terang the same as tidak terang?

No. Kurang terang is milder and relative—“not bright enough (for the purpose/expectation).” Tidak terang is an absolute negation—“not bright.” For polite feedback, kurang + adjective sounds softer.

Can I say tidak terlalu terang instead? How is that different?

Tidak terlalu terang means “not too bright” (brightness isn’t excessive). It can be neutral or even positive. Kurang terang highlights a deficiency and implies a problem to fix.

What exactly does Lampu di kamar refer to—one specific lamp or the lighting in the room in general?

Indonesian doesn’t mark number by default. Lampu di kamar can mean the room’s light in general (often the ceiling light) or a particular lamp in that room, depending on context.

How do I make it clearly singular or plural?

Singular: add a number or classifier if needed: satu lampu or sebuah lampu.
Plural: lampu-lampu, beberapa lampu (several), semua lampu (all).
Examples: Beberapa lampu di kamar kurang terang. / Satu lampu di kamar kurang terang.

How do I make it clearly definite, like “the lamp(s) in the room”?

Use itu or -nya:

Lampu di kamar itu kurang terang. = the lamp(s) in that room aren’t bright enough.
Lampunya kurang terang. = the lamp(s) aren’t bright enough (context already clear).
Avoid the potentially ambiguous Lampunya di kamar kurang terang; a clearer form is Lampu di kamar itu kurang terang.

What’s the difference between lampu di kamar and lampu kamar?

Lampu di kamar = a lamp located in the room (any lamp there).
Lampu kamar = the room’s lamp (often the main ceiling light), a tighter noun–noun compound.

Can I say di dalam kamar instead of di kamar?

Yes. Di kamar already means “in the room.” Di dalam kamar (“inside the room”) is slightly more explicit/emphatic; both work here.

Can I move the location phrase? For example, Di kamar, lampu kurang terang or Lampu kurang terang di kamar?

Di kamar, lampu kurang terang. is fine and topicalizes the place.
Lampu di kamar kurang terang. is the most neutral.
Lampu kurang terang di kamar. is possible but can sound less natural or ambiguous; prefer one of the first two.

What does di do here, and how is it different from the passive prefix di-?

Here di is a preposition meaning “at/in/on” and is written separately: di kamar. The passive prefix di- attaches to verbs with no space: dibuka (is/was opened). Place → separate di; verb → attached di-.

Is terang the right word here? How is it different from cerah?

Yes. Terang describes brightness of light/places: lampu terang, ruangan terang. Cerah is for clear/bright weather or complexion: cuaca cerah, kulit cerah. For lamps, use terang.

What are natural words for “dim” as an alternative?

Redup = dim (of a light source): Lampunya redup.
Remang-remang = dim/half-light ambiance: Kamarnya remang-remang.
Literary: temaram.
So: Lampu di kamar redup.

Is this a polite way to complain to hotel staff?

Yes. Lampu di kamar kurang terang. is neutral–polite and common. To add a request: Bisa tolong diganti atau ditambah lampunya? (Could you please replace it or add a lamp?)

How can I say “The light isn’t bright enough for reading”?

Add untuk: Lampu di kamar kurang terang untuk membaca. Or simply: Kurang terang untuk membaca. if context is clear.

How do I express degree, like “very bright” or “a bit dim”?

Very: sangat/amat or sekali (after the adjective), informal banget. Example: Lampu di kamar terang sekali/banget.
A bit/rather: agak, lumayan, cukup. Example: Lampu di kamar agak redup.

How do I talk about past or future (e.g., “wasn’t bright enough”)?

Indonesian has no tense inflection; add time words:

Past: kemarin, tadi → Kemarin lampu di kamar kurang terang.
Future: besok, nanti → Besok malam semoga lampu di kamar lebih terang.

Any pronunciation tips for lampu, kamar, kurang, terang?

r is tapped/flapped.
ng is [ŋ] (as in “sing”).
e in terang is a schwa (like the a in “sofa”).
Vowels are pure: u in lampu like “oo” in “food.”

Does kamar always mean “bedroom”?

Often yes in everyday speech, but kamar is “room” in compounds: kamar tidur (bedroom), kamar mandi (bathroom). For living room and others, use ruang/ruangan: ruang tamu, ruang makan.

Does lampu mean “lamp” or “light”?

Both. Lampu can be a lamp fixture or any light source (including a ceiling light). To specify: lampu meja (table lamp), lampu lantai (floor lamp), lampu kamar (the room’s main light).