Breakdown of Tolong tulis nomor kursi di formulir ini.
ini
this
di
on
tolong
please
formulir
the form
tulis
to write
nomor kursi
the seat number
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Questions & Answers about Tolong tulis nomor kursi di formulir ini.
What does tolong do here? How polite is it compared with silakan or just tulis?
Tolong literally means help, but it works like please when asking someone to do something. It softens the command and sounds polite and neutral.
- Tolong tulis... polite request.
- Silakan tulis... is an invitation/permission (go ahead and write), common in customer-service speech.
- Tulis... is a bare imperative; it can sound curt unless the context already makes it friendly. In more formal written notices, you may also see Mohon tulis... (more formal than tolong).
Why is it tulis and not menulis?
Indonesian imperatives usually use the bare verb: tulis. Menulis is the general verb to write and is less natural when directly commanding someone to write a specific thing. Use menulis after tolong when you’re talking about the manner of writing rather than the object, e.g., Tolong menulis dengan jelas (please write clearly).
What’s the difference between tulis, tuliskan, and menuliskan here?
- tulis: plain imperative; very common and natural.
- tuliskan: imperative with -kan; often highlights the object or the beneficiary (write it down for me/us). In this sentence, Tolong tuliskan nomor kursi... is also very natural.
- menuliskan: active verb with -kan; acceptable with tolong (e.g., Tolong menuliskan nomor kursi...) but a bit heavier/formal. Day to day, tulis/tuliskan sounds snappier.
Should it be nomor or angka for seat number? What about No.?
Use nomor for identification numbers like seat numbers, phone numbers, ticket numbers. Angka refers to digits/numerals (the characters 0–9) or numerical values. On forms and labels you’ll often see the abbreviation No. for nomor (e.g., No. Kursi). Colloquially, many people write nomer, but nomor is the standard spelling.
Is kursi the best word for seat? What about tempat duduk or bangku?
- kursi = chair/seat and is widely used for assigned seats (e.g., airplanes, theaters): nomor kursi.
- tempat duduk = seating place; also correct and common on signs: nomor tempat duduk (a bit longer/formal).
- bangku = bench/stool; not usually used for assigned seat numbers. (In Malay, you’ll also see kerusi for chair.)
Why is it nomor kursi and not kursi nomor?
In noun–noun compounds, Indonesian typically puts the head first: nomor kursi = the number of the seat. Another common pattern is kursi nomor 12 (seat number 12), where nomor 12 describes the seat.
Why di formulir ini and not pada or ke?
- di
- place = at/on/in and is idiomatic here: di formulir ini = on this form.
- pada can also be used (more formal): pada formulir ini.
- Don’t use ke (to/toward) because you’re not indicating movement to a place.
Any spacing rule for di here?
Yes. As a preposition, di is written separately from the noun: di formulir ini. Don’t join it: not diformulir. When di- is a passive prefix on a verb, it attaches to the verb: ditulis (written).
Why is ini after formulir? Could I say ini formulir?
Demonstratives follow the noun: formulir ini = this form. Ini formulir means this is a form (a full clause identifying what something is). So keep ini after the noun when you mean this specific form.
Do I need to say “you,” like Anda or kamu?
No. Indonesian often drops the subject in imperatives; it’s understood as you. To make the addressee explicit:
- Formal: Tolong tulis nomor kursi Anda di formulir ini. (Capitalize Anda.)
- Informal: Tolong tulis nomor kursi kamu...
- Very polite service style: use titles: Tolong Bapak/Ibu tulis nomor kursi...
Is there a more indirect or very polite version using the passive?
Yes. Passive imperatives sound softer and less direct:
- Tolong nomor kursinya ditulis di formulir ini.
- Nomor kursi tolong ditulis di formulir ini. Here ditulis is passive (be written). -nya in nomor kursinya can mark definiteness (the seat number in question).
Can I add softening particles like ya or dong?
Yes, at the end:
- Neutral-friendly: Tolong tulis nomor kursi di formulir ini, ya.
- Casual/friendly: ..., dong. (avoid in formal contexts) These make the request sound warmer.
Would isi be better than tulis?
Use tulis when you specifically want someone to write something. Use isi (fill in) for form fields:
- Silakan isi nomor kursi di formulir ini. You’ll also see cantumkan (list/include) or lengkapi (complete) in instructions, depending on tone.
Any quick pronunciation tips?
- u = oo as in food: tulis, kursi, formulir.
- o is a pure o: nomor.
- r is tapped. Approximation: toh-long too-lees noh-mor koor-see dee for-moo-leer ee-nee.