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Breakdown of Kompor tidak boleh dibiarkan menyala.
tidak
not
kompor
the stove
boleh
may
dibiarkan
to be left
menyala
to be on
Questions & Answers about Kompor tidak boleh dibiarkan menyala.
What does the verb form in dibiarkan mean, and how is it built?
- Base: biar = let/allow.
- Actor-voice: membiarkan = to let/allow (someone/something).
- Passive: dibiarkan = to be allowed/left (in some state).
In this sentence, dibiarkan is followed by menyala (“be on/lit”), so the idea is “to be allowed to remain on,” i.e., “left on.”
Why is the passive used instead of an active form?
Indonesian often uses the passive to state general rules or prohibitions without naming who is responsible. It sounds neutral and impersonal. An active equivalent would be:
- Kita/Orang tidak boleh membiarkan kompor menyala. (We/People must not let the stove stay on.)
How is tidak boleh different from using jangan?
- Tidak boleh = “not allowed/may not,” a statement of rule or permission. Here it negates boleh.
- Jangan = “don’t,” used for direct commands.
So:
- Rule-like: Kompor tidak boleh dibiarkan menyala.
- Direct command: Jangan biarkan kompor menyala.
What exactly does menyala mean here?
Menyala is an intransitive verb meaning “to be on/lit” (flames, lights, indicators). It does not mean “to turn on.” Here it describes the stove’s state (lit/on).
What’s the difference between menyala, menyalakan, and dinyalakan?
- menyala = be on/lit (no object). Example: Kompor menyala.
- menyalakan [X] = turn on/light [X] (needs an object). Example: Dia menyalakan kompor.
- dinyalakan = be turned on (passive). Example: Kompor dinyalakan oleh dia.
Can I drop dibiarkan and say Kompor tidak boleh menyala?
You can, but the meaning changes. Kompor tidak boleh menyala means “The stove must not be on (at all).” The original with dibiarkan means “must not be left on,” focusing on not leaving it in that state (often implying unattended).
What about Kompor tidak boleh dinyalakan—is that the same?
No. Kompor tidak boleh dinyalakan means “The stove must not be turned on (at all).” It forbids the act of turning it on, not specifically the situation of leaving it on.
Is dibiarkan untuk menyala correct?
No. After biarkan/dibiarkan, Indonesian takes a bare verb complement without untuk:
- Correct: (di)biarkan menyala
- Not natural: (di)biarkan untuk menyala
How can I include who must not leave it on?
- Keep passive and add an agent: Kompor tidak boleh dibiarkan menyala oleh siapa pun/oleh anak-anak.
- Use active: Kita/Anda tidak boleh membiarkan kompor menyala.
- Imperative: Jangan biarkan kompor menyala.
Does kompor mean “the stove” or “a stove”? Where are the articles?
Indonesian has no articles. Kompor can be general or specific from context. To be explicit:
- Specific: kompor itu/ini (that/this stove)
- Indefinite: sebuah kompor (a stove) — less common in casual speech
Is ditinggalkan the right verb for “left (on)”?
Not in standard phrasing. Ditinggalkan means “left behind/abandoned (someone/something).” For “left on,” standard Indonesian uses dibiarkan menyala. Colloquially you will also hear:
- Kompor jangan ditinggal menyala. (very common in speech; less formal)
Could I use hidup instead of menyala?
Yes, especially for electrical devices: Kompor tidak boleh dibiarkan hidup. For a gas flame, menyala is more precise, but hidup is widely understood and used in everyday speech.
Is tidak boleh formal? What are informal options?
- Neutral/formal: tidak boleh
- Formal/literary: tak boleh
- Informal: nggak/gak boleh
- Direct command: jangan (any register, depending on tone) Examples:
- Formal: Kompor tidak boleh dibiarkan menyala.
- Informal: Kompor gak boleh ditinggal nyala.
How can I express the same idea as a positive instruction?
- Rule-like: Kompor harus dimatikan setelah digunakan.
- Polite request: Tolong matikan kompor setelah dipakai.
- Simple command: Setelah memasak, matikan kompor.
Any quick pronunciation tips?
- kompor: stress tends to fall near the end; r is a tapped/trilled sound.
- tidak: final k is often unreleased; you may hear a glottal stop in casual speech.
- boleh: pronounce the final h lightly.
- dibiarkan: pronounce biar as two syllables “bi-ar,” not as one.
- menyala: ny is a single sound like “ny” in “canyon.”
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