Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Tolong baca dokumen ini.

Neutral–polite. Tolong softens an imperative and is fine with colleagues, service staff, and people you know. For extra politeness to seniors or strangers, add a title or name: Tolong baca dokumen ini, Pak/Bu. For very formal written style, consider Mohon or a passive form.

What’s the difference between Tolong and Silakan?

Tolong asks someone to do something as a favor (for your benefit): Tolong baca dokumen ini.
Silakan invites/permits someone to do something (for their benefit): Silakan baca dokumen ini = “Go ahead and read this document (if you wish).”

Why is it baca, not membaca?

Indonesian imperatives commonly use the bare root: baca. After tolong, both are seen:

Everyday/request: Tolong baca dokumen ini.
More instructional/notice style: Tolong membaca dokumen ini (also common, though less conversational). Both are acceptable; the bare root feels more direct and spoken.

Can I make it more impersonal or formal?

Yes, use a passive:

Tolong dibaca dokumen ini.
Tolong dokumen ini dibaca. These avoid directly commanding “you” and sound polite/office-like. Very formal: Mohon/Harap dibaca.

Does the sentence specify “you”? How do I make “you” explicit?

“You” is understood from context. To specify:

Formal singular: Anda
Informal singular: kamu
Plural informal: kalian
With titles: Bapak/Ibu/Mas/Mbak Examples: Tolong Anda baca dokumen ini, Tolong baca dokumen ini, Pak.

How do I address multiple people politely?

Informal: Tolong kalian baca dokumen ini.
Formal: Tolong Anda sekalian membaca dokumen ini. Natural alternatives: Tolong semuanya baca dokumen ini, or address a group name: Tolong tim legal baca dokumen ini.

Why is it dokumen ini and not ini dokumen?

dokumen ini = “this document” (demonstrative follows the noun)
ini dokumen = “this is a document” (statement of identity) For choosing among several, you can also say dokumen yang ini = “this one (document).”

How do I say “these documents”?

Clear plural: dokumen-dokumen ini or semua dokumen ini. While context can make dokumen ini refer to more than one, adding reduplication or semua removes ambiguity.

What’s the difference between baca, bacalah, and bacakan?

baca: plain imperative “read.”
bacalah: imperative with -lah; formal/softened, often written: Bacalah dokumen ini.
bacakan: “read [it] for/to [someone],” typically out loud and for someone’s benefit: Bacakan dokumen ini kepada saya.

How can I soften the request further in conversation?

Add softening particles or time words:

Tolong baca dokumen ini dulu (first)
Tolong baca dokumen ini ya (soft/friendly)
Informal: Tolong baca dokumen ini dong (casual, friendly)

How do I say “Don’t read this document”?

Active imperative negative: Jangan baca dokumen ini.
Passive/impersonal: Jangan dibaca dokumen ini or Jangan dokumen ini dibaca.

Is “Tolong untuk membaca dokumen ini” okay?

It appears in some formal writing, but untuk is redundant. More natural:

Tolong baca dokumen ini.
Very formal: Mohon/Harap dibaca. In bureaucratic style you’ll also see Dimohon untuk…, but in everyday use, keep it short.

How do I turn it into a polite question request?

Bisakah Anda membaca dokumen ini?
Bisa tolong baca dokumen ini? (common spoken) Note that Apakah Anda bisa membaca dokumen ini? literally asks about ability; for a request, prefer bisakah/bisa tolong.

What if I want to say “Please read this document out loud/for me”?

Use bacakan:

Tolong bacakan dokumen ini (untuk saya). Passive option: Tolong dokumen ini dibacakan.

Are there synonyms for “read/review” depending on intent?

Yes:

Check/proofread: periksa, teliti
Study/analyze: pelajari, telaah
Re-read: baca ulang Examples: Tolong periksa dokumen ini, Mohon telaah dokumen ini.

Any pronunciation tips?

c in baca = “ch” in “chair.”
ng in tolong is the velar nasal (as in “sing”).
Vowel length isn’t contrastive; stress is light, usually near the penultimate syllable: to-long; ba-ca; do-ku-men (the final -men often has a schwa-like e).