Questions & Answers about Tolong baca keterangan di papan tulis.
What nuance does Tolong add? Could I say Silakan or Harap instead?
- Tolong literally means help and functions like please. It softens an imperative into a polite request.
- Silakan is an invitation or permission (please go ahead), not a request for help. It’s polite and neutral.
- Harap is formal and directive (kindly/please), common on notices and announcements, more like an instruction.
- Very formal: Mohon (I beg/please), e.g., Mohon dibaca… sounds quite formal.
- Mild coaxing: Coba (try), e.g., Coba baca…, softer, often teacher-to-student.
Why is it baca and not membaca?
Indonesian imperatives usually use the bare verb root. Baca is the root; membaca is the active meN- form used in statements (e.g., Saya membaca…). For commands, baca is the norm. Both Silakan baca… and Silakan membaca… are possible, but a plain request uses baca.
What exactly does keterangan mean here?