Lampu di langit-langit berkedip malam ini.

The light on the ceiling is blinking tonight.

Breakdown of Lampu di langit-langit berkedip malam ini.

• lampu: the light
• di: on
• malam ini: tonight
• langit-langit: the ceiling
• berkedip: to blink

Questions & Answers about Lampu di langit-langit berkedip malam ini.

What does langit-langit mean? I know langit is sky.

Langit-langit is a fixed word meaning ceiling. While langit on its own means sky, reduplication here doesn’t make it plural; it creates a new noun. So it’s the ceiling, not the skies.

Why is there a hyphen in langit-langit? Does it mark plural?

The hyphen marks reduplication. Reduplication can indicate plurality in some cases, but for many words it forms a new lexical item. Langit-langit is one of those; it’s not plural, just the standard spelling of the word ceiling.

Is lampu singular or plural here? How do I say a specific lamp or several lamps?

Indonesian doesn’t mark number by default, so lampu can mean lamp or lamps. To be specific:

• one lamp: sebuah lampu or satu lampu
• several/some lamps: beberapa lampu
• many lamps: banyak lampu
• all the lamps: semua lampu
• definite the: add itu after the noun phrase, e.g., Lampu di langit-langit itu (the lamp/the lights on the ceiling)
• explicit plural form: lampu-lampu, e.g., Lampu-lampu di langit-langit itu berkedip malam ini.

Do I need yang before di langit-langit?

No. Lampu di langit-langit is fine. Add yang if you want a restrictive feel (the ones that are on the ceiling): Lampu yang di langit-langit berkedip = the ceiling ones are blinking (as opposed to other lamps).

Is berkedip natural for lights, or only for eyes? Any alternatives?

Berkedip is fine for lights. To emphasize repeated flickering, you can use:

• berkedip-kedip
• kedap-kedip (colloquial/onomatopoeic)
• berkelap-kelip (twinkling, often for decorative or distant lights)

What does the prefix ber- do in berkedip?

Ber- makes an intransitive verb meaning to be in a state or perform the action without a direct object. Root kedip (blink) → berkedip (to blink/flicker). A related transitive form is mengedipkan (mata) = to blink (one’s eyes).

Where can I put malam ini? Can I say ini malam?

Use malam ini either at the end or front:

• Lampu di langit-langit berkedip malam ini.
• Malam ini, lampu di langit-langit berkedip. In standard Indonesian, ini malam is not used for tonight. A formal option is pada malam ini.

How do I express past, ongoing, or future with this sentence?

Verbs aren’t inflected for tense. Use time/aspect words:

• past (last night): Tadi malam, lampu di langit-langit berkedip.
• ongoing now: Sekarang lampu di langit-langit sedang berkedip. (colloquial: lagi berkedip)
• later tonight: Nanti malam lampu di langit-langit akan berkedip. (akan is optional)

Why di and not ke or pada?

• di = static location: di langit-langit (on/at the ceiling)
• ke = movement toward: not appropriate here
• pada = at/on in formal style or with abstract nouns; for time you might see pada malam ini, but for places use di.

Is there a more concise way to say ceiling light?

Yes:

• lampu plafon (ceiling light)
• lampu gantung (hanging/pendant light) Example: Lampu plafon itu berkedip malam ini.

How do I emphasize that all the ceiling lights are flickering?

Use a plural or quantifier:

• Semua lampu di langit-langit berkedip malam ini.
• Lampu-lampu di langit-langit berkedip malam ini. For specific ones already known: Lampu-lampu di langit-langit itu berkedip malam ini.