Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Kami menyambungkan proyektor ke laptop dengan kabel baru. - We connect the projector to the laptop with a new cable.

Because of the meN- prefix assimilation rule. The base word is sambung “to connect/join.” When meN- attaches to a root starting with s, the s drops and the prefix becomes meny-:

meN- + sambung → menyambung Then the suffix -kan is added:
menyambung + -kan → menyambungkan So you never get “mensambungkan.”

What does the -kan suffix add in menyambungkan? Could I just use menyambung?

-kan often makes the verb causative/applicative: “to cause something to be connected (to something).”
menyambungkan X ke Y highlights that you’re connecting X to Y.
menyambung can be used, but it more often means “to continue/splice/join” and feels less precise for “connect device A to device B.” In everyday speech you may hear it, but menyambungkan/menghubungkan is clearer.

What’s the difference between menyambungkan, menghubungkan, and menyambung?

menyambungkan: to connect, especially physical devices or ends (cables, devices).
menghubungkan: to connect/link; very common and neutral for both physical and abstract links (devices, networks, ideas, places).
menyambung: to join/splice or continue (e.g., splicing a cut cable, continuing a conversation). Less typical for “hook up a projector,” though possible in casual speech.

All three are understandable here; many speakers would also say Kami menghubungkan proyektor ke laptop...

Why is the preposition ke used? Could I use di, pada, or kepada?

ke marks a target/direction: connect X to Y → ke.
di means “at/in/on” (location), so it doesn’t fit here.
kepada is for recipients (usually people), not devices.
pada can appear in formal/technical writing, but day-to-day speech strongly prefers ke: menghubungkan ke jaringan is more common than menghubungkan pada jaringan.

What exactly does dengan kabel baru mean? Could I say menggunakan or pakai?

Here dengan marks the instrument/means: “with/by means of a new cable.” Synonyms:

menggunakan kabel baru (neutral/formal-ish)
pakai kabel baru (colloquial) All are fine: ... ke laptop dengan/menggunakan/pakai kabel baru.

Can I change the order of the prepositional phrases?

Yes, but keep it clear:

Natural: Kami menyambungkan proyektor ke laptop dengan kabel baru.
Also possible: Kami menyambungkan proyektor dengan kabel baru ke laptop. Since both “ke laptop” (target) and “dengan kabel baru” (instrument) modify the verb, many speakers prefer placing the target first, then the instrument, to avoid ambiguity.

What’s the difference between kami and kita?

kami = we/us (listener excluded).
kita = we/us (listener included). Use kami if you mean “we (not you).” If the listener is part of the group doing the connecting, use kita.

How do I say “the projector” vs. “a projector” in Indonesian?

Indonesian has no articles. proyektor can mean “a/the projector” from context. To be explicit:

“a/one projector”: sebuah proyektor or satu proyektor
“the projector”: proyektor itu or proyektornya

Does baru mean “new” or “just (now)” here?

Here, baru is an adjective after the noun: kabel baru = “a new cable.” As an adverb meaning “just/recently,” baru appears before/with a verb or clause:

Saya baru makan. = I just ate.
Kami baru menyambungkan proyektor... = We just connected the projector...

Is kabel yang baru also correct? What’s the nuance?

Yes. kabel yang baru often means “the new one” (contrasting with an old one), or it can introduce a fuller description:

kabel yang baru = the one that is new (more contrastive/definite)
kabel baru = a new cable (plain description) For “just purchased,” use a clause: kabel yang baru saja dibeli.

How would I say this in the passive voice?

Standard passive: Proyektor disambungkan ke laptop dengan kabel baru (oleh kami). The agent phrase oleh kami is optional and formal.
Object-fronting (colloquial/neutral): Proyektor kami sambungkan ke laptop dengan kabel baru.
Stative (result): Proyektor sudah tersambung/terhubung ke laptop.

Is there a casual, conversational version?

Yes:

Kita nyambungin proyektor ke laptop pakai kabel baru. Notes: nyambungin is colloquial (Jakarta-style) for menyambungkan; pakai is informal for menggunakan; kita includes the listener.

Can I flip the objects and say “Kami menyambungkan laptop ke proyektor”?

Grammatically yes; it then reads as “We connected the laptop to the projector.” In practice, both orders are used; choose the one that reflects what you conceptually treat as the primary object. Many people say menghubungkan laptop ke proyektor when setting up a display.

How do I mark singular vs. plural for kabel?

Nouns aren’t inflected for number:

kabel baru can be “new cable” or “new cables” (context decides). To be explicit:
One: sebuah/satu kabel baru
Some: beberapa kabel baru
Plural emphasis: kabel-kabel baru

How do I show past/complete action, like “We have connected...” ?

Add aspect markers or time words:

Kami sudah menyambungkan proyektor ke laptop... (already/has done)
Kami tadi/kemarin menyambungkan... (earlier/yesterday)
Kami baru menyambungkan... (just did)