Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Bagaimana cara mengunduh materi itu di telepon? - How do I download that material on the phone?

Yes. Bagaimana cara ... literally “how [is] the way …” and is a very common, polite how‑to pattern. Bagaimana mengunduh … is also correct and a bit more direct. Using cara emphasizes you want the method or steps.

What exactly does mengunduh mean, and how is it different from unduh and diunduh?

unduh: the root “download.”
mengunduh: active verb “to download (something).”
diunduh: passive “to be downloaded.” In informal speech you’ll also hear ngunduh (colloquial drop of the prefix).

Can I use the English loanword download instead?

Yes. In casual speech people often say download: mendownload/men-download/nge-download. For standard/neutral Indonesian, prefer mengunduh. Example: Gimana cara download materi itu di HP?

What does materi mean here—file, content, or study materials?

Materi is broad: it can mean learning materials, content, resources, or a file, depending on context. Alternatives include bahan, materi pelajaran, or file if you want to be specific.

Why is itu after materi? Could I put it before?

Indonesian demonstratives usually follow the noun: materi itu = “that material.” Putting it before (itu materi) is unusual unless you’re topicalizing (“As for that material…”). “This material” is materi ini.

How do I say this material vs that material? And how about plural materials?

This/that: materi ini, materi itu.
Plural: Indonesian doesn’t require a plural form; materi can be plural from context. To stress plurality, use materi‑materi, berbagai materi, semua materi, etc.

Does di telepon mean on a call?

No. With a space, di telepon means “on/at the phone (device).” For “by phone (over a call),” use melalui telepon or lewat telepon. “To be phoned/called” is ditelepon (no space).

Should it be di telepon or ke telepon?

di telepon/di HP = on the phone (where the action happens or where the file ends up).
ke telepon/ke HP = to the phone, emphasizing destination.
Both occur; di is very common in how‑to questions. Use ke if you want to stress “to the phone.”

Is telepon the usual word for cell phone? Would Indonesians say HP or ponsel?

Everyday speech favors HP (handphone; pronounced ha‑pe) or ponsel. Telepon is generic and can suggest a landline. Smartphone is also used. For naturalness, many would say di HP.

How do I say my phone and make the subject I explicit?

Examples:

Bagaimana cara saya mengunduh materi itu ke ponsel saya?
Bagaimana saya bisa mengunduh materi itu di HP saya?

What’s a casual, natural version of the whole sentence?

Gimana caranya ngunduh materi itu di HP?
Also common: Gimana cara download materi itu di HP?

What’s the difference between cara and caranya?

cara = way/method (general). caranya = the way/the method (definite). In speech, Gimana caranya … often sounds a bit more natural and friendly.

Any spacing or spelling pitfalls?

Preposition di is separate: di telepon.
Passive prefix di- attaches: ditelepon.
Standard spelling is telepon; informal telpon is common online but nonstandard.

How do you pronounce the key words?

mengunduh: mehng‑oon‑dooh (u like “oo” in “food”).
telepon: te‑le‑pon (first e is a schwa).
HP: say the letters: ha‑pe.

Can I move di telepon earlier in the sentence?

You can front the phrase: Di telepon, bagaimana cara mengunduh materi itu? Avoid splitting the verb and its object: don’t say Bagaimana cara mengunduh di telepon materi itu?

Can I add bisa to mean can?

Yes: Bagaimana saya bisa mengunduh materi itu di HP? Adding bisa highlights ability/possibility; without it, bagaimana already asks for the method.

How could I make the request more polite?

Use softeners:

Bisa tolong jelaskan bagaimana caranya mengunduh materi itu di HP?
Mohon bantuannya untuk mengunduh materi itu di ponsel.