Breakdown of Anak-anak dilarang bermain di peron.
bermain
to play
di
on
anak
the child
peron
the platform
dilarang
to be forbidden
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Questions & Answers about Anak-anak dilarang bermain di peron.
Why is anak-anak written with a hyphen? Does the reduplication just mark plural?
The hyphen shows reduplication, a common way to mark plurality or variety. Anak = child; anak-anak = children. Always keep the hyphen; writing anak anak (with a space) is incorrect. Reduplication can also add nuances like “various kinds,” not only plural, but here it’s straightforwardly “children.”
Could I just say anak to mean “children”?
Sometimes context allows singular anak to be read generically, but it can be ambiguous. Anak-anak is the clearest way to say “children.” Other plural strategies:
- With numbers/quantifiers: dua anak, banyak anak, beberapa anak
- With para (mostly for people, formal): para siswa, but para anak is uncommon; people usually stick with anak-anak.
What exactly is dilarang? Is it passive?
Yes. Di- is the passive prefix + the root larang (forbid). Dilarang literally “is/are forbidden.” On signs, Indonesian often uses this impersonal passive: Dilarang merokok (No smoking), Dilarang parkir (No parking).
Why is there no word for “are” (like “are forbidden”)?
Indonesian doesn’t need a copula (“to be”) in this structure. The predicate dilarang already carries the meaning “is/are forbidden.” So Anak-anak dilarang ... = “Children are forbidden ...”
What’s the difference between dilarang, jangan, and tidak boleh?
- Dilarang = prohibited by rule/law; typical on signs; formal and strong.
- Jangan = “don’t” (direct imperative): Anak-anak jangan bermain di peron (Kids, don’t play on the platform).
- Tidak boleh = “not allowed/may not,” often conversational or explanatory: Anak-anak tidak boleh bermain di peron. All forbid the action; dilarang feels most official.
Why not say dilarang untuk bermain?
Standard usage prefers dilarang + verb without untuk. You may see dilarang untuk in the wild, but style guides consider it redundant or less elegant. Best: Dilarang bermain.
Why is di separate in di peron but attached in dilarang?
Two different words:
- di (separate) = preposition “at/in/on”: di peron, di rumah.
- di- (attached) = passive prefix: dilarang, dibeli, ditulis. Rule of thumb: if it’s location, write di separately; if it’s a passive verb, attach di-.
What does peron mean exactly? Is it common?
Peron = railway platform (the raised area beside the tracks). It’s standard Indonesian (from Dutch “perron”). You might also hear peron kereta (api) or simply peron. In Malaysia, platform is more common.
Should it be di atas peron (“on top of the platform”) instead of di peron?
Indonesian idiomatically says di peron. Adding di atas is usually unnecessary unless you’re contrasting surfaces (e.g., “on top of vs under”).
Why bermain and not just main?
Bermain is the standard/neutral intransitive verb “to play.” Colloquial speech often uses the root: main (e.g., Anak-anak main di peron). On signs or in formal writing, bermain is preferred.
Why not memainkan?
Memainkan is transitive: “to play (something),” and it takes an object:
- bermain bola = play ball (no object)
- memainkan gitar = play the guitar (object)
- memainkan peran = play a role Since there’s no object here, bermain is correct.
Is anak-anak definite (“the children”) or general?
Indonesian has no articles. Anak-anak here is general/generic: “children” in general. Context decides definiteness.
How would a more polite or softer version look?
- Mohon anak-anak tidak bermain di peron.
- Harap anak-anak tidak bermain di peron. These sound like requests rather than blunt prohibitions.
Is kanak-kanak a synonym of anak-anak?
In Malaysian usage, kanak-kanak is the common word for “children.” In Indonesian, kanak-kanak exists but is less common in everyday speech; you’ll see it in set phrases like majalah kanak-kanak or masa kanak-kanak (“childhood”). Day to day, Indonesian uses anak-anak.
Would it be natural to drop the subject on a sign?
Yes. Signs often say simply: Dilarang bermain di peron. Adding Anak-anak targets the warning specifically at children (or their guardians).