Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Dia mengangkat telepon di luar gedung agar tidak mengganggu rapat. - He/She answers the phone outside the building so as not to disturb the meeting.

Dia is gender-neutral and can mean either “he” or “she.” Context usually clarifies the gender. Alternatives: ia (more written/formal), beliau (respectful, for elders/important people), mereka (they).

There’s no tense marker—does this mean past, present, or future?

Indonesian doesn’t mark tense on the verb. Dia mengangkat telepon can be “answered/was answering/is answering/will answer” depending on context. You add time/aspect words if needed: tadi/barusan (earlier/just now), sedang/lagi (in the middle of), akan (will).

Does “mengangkat telepon” literally mean “to lift the phone”? Is it the normal way to say “answer the phone”?

Literally it’s “lift,” but mengangkat telepon idiomatically means “to answer the phone/call” and is very common. Other options: angkat telepon (colloquial, base verb), menjawab telepon (answer the phone; acceptable but less idiomatic), menerima telepon (receive a call), mengangkat panggilan (answer a call).

Is “telepon” here the device or the call? Should it be “teleponnya”?

In this collocation, telepon usually means “the (phone) call,” not the physical handset. Teleponnya adds definiteness/possession: “the call/phone (in question)” or “his/her phone.” Context decides which reading listeners take.

I’ve seen “telpon.” Is that correct?

Standard Indonesian spells it telepon. Telpon is common informally but nonstandard. You may also see HP (hape) in speech for “cell phone.”

Why “di luar” and not “keluar”?

di luar = at a location outside (stative: where something is).
ke luar = to the outside (motion toward).
keluar = to go out (verb).
Your sentence states location: di luar gedung (outside the building). If you want the action of leaving: Dia keluar gedung untuk mengangkat telepon...

Is it “diluar” or “di luar”?

Write the preposition as two words: di luar. As a rule, di as a preposition is separate (di rumah, di kantor). The attached form di- is a passive prefix on verbs (e.g., diambil, dibuka).

Why “gedung”? Could I use “bangunan” or “kantor”?

Gedung = a building (often larger/official). Bangunan = any structure (more general/technical). Kantor = the office (as a workplace). Choose based on what you mean: di luar gedung (outside the building), di luar kantor (outside the office), di luar ruangan (outside the room).

What’s the nuance of “agar tidak”? Can I use “supaya” or “biar” or “untuk”?

All express purpose:

agar = slightly formal.
supaya = neutral, very common.
biar = informal/colloquial.
untuk
- verb is acceptable for purpose, including negatives (untuk tidak mengganggu...), but when the subject is the same, agar/supaya often feels more natural and intentional.

Could I say “agar rapat tidak terganggu” instead?

Yes: ... agar rapat tidak terganggu (so the meeting isn’t disturbed) is a good passive-like alternative. It shifts focus onto the meeting rather than the act of disturbing. Another natural variant: agar tidak mengganggu jalannya rapat (so as not to disturb the course/flow of the meeting).

Can I move parts of the sentence around?

Yes, Indonesian allows some flexibility. Natural variants include:

Agar tidak mengganggu rapat, dia mengangkat telepon di luar gedung.
Dia mengangkat telepon agar tidak mengganggu rapat di luar gedung is potentially ambiguous (it can sound like the meeting is outside), so keep di luar gedung close to the verb it modifies.

Is “rapat” the only word for “meeting”?

Rapat is the standard word for a formal/work meeting. Pertemuan is more general (“gathering/meeting”). The English loan miting/meeting appears informally in some contexts, but rapat is safest.

Any spelling/word-formation tips for “mengganggu”?

It’s spelled with a double g: mengganggu (base: ganggu). The meN- prefix assimilates to meng- before g/k/h/vowels.

How would this sound in casual speech?

A natural casual version: Dia keluar dulu buat angkat telepon biar nggak ganggu rapat.
Notes: buat (for/to), angkat (base verb), biar (so that), nggak (not), and possibly dropping di luar gedung if context makes “outside” obvious.

Can I drop “dia”?

If the subject is clear from context, Indonesian often drops it: Mengangkat telepon di luar gedung agar tidak mengganggu rapat. This reads like a descriptive note or instruction; in full sentences, keeping dia is clearer.