Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Perangkat rapat kami rusak; mikrofon tidak berfungsi. - Our meeting device is broken; the microphone doesn’t work.

perangkat = devices/system/set (often electronic or a cohesive system).
peralatan = tools/equipment in general.
perlengkapan = supplies/accessories. So perangkat rapat suggests electronic or technical meeting gear; perlengkapan rapat would be things like pens, notepads, name tags.

Why is rapat placed after perangkat?

In Indonesian noun–noun compounds, the head comes first and the modifier second: perangkat rapat = meeting equipment (equipment for meetings). You can also say perangkat untuk rapat (equipment for meetings), but the compound is shorter and common.

Why is there no “is” before rusak?

Indonesian often uses adjectives and stative verbs as predicates without a copula. Perangkat rapat kami rusak literally reads “our meeting equipment broken,” which means “is broken.” You generally don’t use adalah before adjectives; adalah is used before nouns.

What’s the difference between rusak, merusak, and kerusakan?

rusak = broken/damaged (state): Komputer itu rusak.
merusak = to damage (active verb): Air hujan merusak atap.
kerusakan = damage (noun): Kerusakan terjadi pada mikrofon.

Does rusak imply permanent damage? How does it compare with mati or tidak berfungsi?

rusak: damaged/broken; may or may not be fixable.
mati: “dead/off” (electronics not powered/working): Mikrofon mati.
tidak berfungsi: not functioning; neutral about cause and permanence.
bermasalah: having issues; vaguer and softer. In your sentence, tidak berfungsi hints the mic isn’t working (maybe temporarily); mikrofon rusak suggests the mic itself is broken.

Why kami and not kita?

kami = we/us (excluding the listener).
kita = we/us (including the listener). If you’re telling someone outside your group (e.g., a venue staff member), kami fits. If you’re speaking to team members who share the equipment, use kita.

Where does the possessive pronoun go, and are there other ways to show possession?

The pronoun follows the noun: perangkat rapat kami = our meeting equipment. Alternatives:

perangkat rapat milik kami (more explicit/formal).
perangkat rapatnya = the meeting equipment (his/her/their/the), or “the” by context. You can’t put kami directly before the noun like in English; instead you’d say kami punya perangkat rapat (we have meeting equipment).

Is the semicolon natural in Indonesian? What else could I use?

Yes, the semicolon works like in English to link two closely related independent clauses. Alternatives:

Period: Perangkat rapat kami rusak. Mikrofon tidak berfungsi.
Comma + conjunction (adds a relation): ..., jadi ... (so), ..., tetapi ... (but).
Colon when the second part explains or lists: ...: mikrofon tidak berfungsi.

Why tidak and not bukan before berfungsi?

Use tidak to negate verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Use bukan to negate nouns/pronouns/nominal predicates.

Correct: mikrofon tidak berfungsi (verb).
With bukan: Itu bukan mikrofon (That is not a microphone).

What does berfungsi literally mean, and how else can I use it?

berfungsi = to function, to work (ber- + fungsi). It’s intransitive:

Perangkat itu berfungsi normal.
Mesinnya tidak berfungsi dengan baik.
Avoid bisa berfungsi for basic “works”; just use berfungsi.

Is mikrofon singular or plural here? How do I say “a microphone” or “two microphones”?

Indonesian usually doesn’t mark singular/plural. Context decides. To be explicit:

“a microphone”: sebuah mikrofon or just mikrofon if clear.
“two microphones”: dua mikrofon.
Plural by reduplication (more literary/emphatic): mikrofon-mikrofon.

Is mikrofon the standard spelling? What about “mic” or mik?

The standard form is mikrofon (per KBBI). You may see mik (slang for “mic”) in speech or informal writing. Avoid English “microphone” in Indonesian sentences. Older mikropon exists but mikrofon is preferred.

How do I make “the microphone” explicit?

Add a demonstrative or the clitic:

mikrofon itu = that/the microphone (context-dependent).
mikrofon ini = this microphone.
mikrofonnya = the microphone (contextually definite or his/her/their mic).

Can I say Perangkat rapat kami tidak berfungsi instead of rusak?

Yes, but the nuance shifts:

... rusak = the equipment is damaged.
... tidak berfungsi = the equipment isn’t functioning (perhaps temporarily or due to setup/power issues). Choose based on what you want to imply.

Does rapat only mean “meeting”? I’ve seen rapat meaning “tight/close.”

Correct—rapat can be:

Noun: meeting/session (your sentence).
Adjective: tight/close/compact: Pintu itu tertutup rapat (The door is tightly shut). Context clarifies the meaning.

How can I soften this statement politely?

Add hedges or apologies:

Maaf, sepertinya perangkat rapat kami bermasalah; mikrofonnya tidak berfungsi.
Mohon maaf, tampaknya perangkat rapat kami rusak. Mikrofonnya tidak berfungsi dengan baik. Colloquial: Maaf, kayaknya mikrofonnya nggak berfungsi.

How do I indicate time (past/ongoing) since Indonesian has no tense?

Add time/aspect markers:

Past/recent: tadi, baru saja — Perangkat rapat kami baru saja rusak.
Completed: sudah — Mikrofon sudah tidak berfungsi.
Ongoing: sedang — Mikrofon sedang tidak berfungsi.

How do I say the mic is one of several broken items?

Use a colon or antara lain (among others):

Perangkat rapat kami rusak: mikrofon, kamera, dan speaker tidak berfungsi.
Perangkat rapat kami rusak, antara lain mikrofon tidak berfungsi.