Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Dia meminjam perangkat cadangan dan menyalakan mikrofon baru. - He/She borrows a spare device and turns on a new microphone.

Dia is a third-person singular pronoun that does not mark gender, so it can mean he or she. For formal respect (e.g., elders, VIPs), use beliau. You may also see ia in formal writing, usually as a subject form; unlike dia, ia is not used after prepositions.

How do I know whether this is past, present, or future? Indonesian verbs don’t change form.

Indonesian doesn’t mark tense on the verb. Time is shown with particles or adverbs:

Past/completed: sudah or telah (Dia sudah meminjam…)
Progressive: sedang (Dia sedang menyalakan…)
Future: akan (Dia akan meminjam…)
“Just now”: baru saja (Dia baru saja menyalakan…) Context words like tadi, kemarin, nanti, besok also help.

What’s the difference between meminjam and meminjamkan?

meminjam = to borrow. Subject is the borrower. Example: Dia meminjam perangkat cadangan dari teknisi.
meminjamkan = to lend. Subject is the lender. Example: Teknisi meminjamkan perangkat cadangan kepadanya.

Do I need to add dari to say who it was borrowed from?

Use dari to specify the source: Dia meminjam perangkat cadangan dari teknisi. If the source is understood, you can omit it, as in the original sentence.

Can I say pinjam instead of meminjam?

In casual speech, yes: Dia pinjam perangkat cadangan… You’ll also hear Pinjam dulu, ya as an imperative. In neutral/formal writing, prefer meminjam.

What exactly does perangkat cadangan mean? Is it the same as perangkat pengganti or perangkat serep?

perangkat cadangan = spare/backup device (kept in reserve).
perangkat pengganti = replacement device (to replace another, often permanently).
perangkat serep = spare device (colloquial; common in everyday speech). Choose based on nuance and formality.

Why is the adjective after the noun in mikrofon baru and perangkat cadangan?

In Indonesian, descriptive adjectives usually follow the noun: mikrofon baru (new microphone), perangkat cadangan (spare device). To make it definite, add a determiner: mikrofon baru itu (that/the new microphone).

Could baru mean “just” here?

In mikrofon baru, baru is an adjective meaning new. As an adverb meaning just/only then, baru goes before the verb: Dia baru menyalakan mikrofon = He/She just turned on the microphone.

Is menyalakan the only way to say “turn on”? What about menghidupkan or mengaktifkan?

menyalakan: to switch on/ignite (lights, devices). Very common: menyalakan mikrofon.
menghidupkan: to turn on/power up (devices, engines). Also fine for microphones.
mengaktifkan: to activate/enable a feature (software, settings), less about pressing a physical power button.
All are understood; choose by context.

What’s the difference between menyala and menyalakan?

menyala is intransitive: the thing is on/lighting itself (Lampu menyala).
menyalakan is transitive: someone turns something on (Dia menyalakan lampu).
Here, menyalakan mikrofon baru is transitive.

Is it okay to connect two verbs with dan like this, or should I use lalu/kemudian?

Dan simply links actions and is fine. If you want to emphasize sequence, use lalu/kemudian/terus: Dia meminjam… lalu menyalakan… All are natural; dan is neutral.

How would I make it clear it’s “his/her new microphone”?

Add the possessive clitic -nya to the noun phrase: mikrofon barunya = his/her new microphone (or the new microphone, context-dependent). For clarity, you can say mikrofon barunya or mikrofon barunya dia (colloquial).

How do I say “a new microphone” vs “one new microphone” vs “the new microphone”?

A new microphone (indefinite): mikrofon baru.
One new microphone (emphasizing number): satu/ sebuah mikrofon baru.
The new microphone (definite): mikrofon baru itu or mikrofon barunya (context decides which fits best).

How do I negate this sentence?

Use tidak before verbs: Dia tidak meminjam perangkat cadangan dan tidak menyalakan mikrofon baru.
If you mean “hasn’t yet,” use belum: Dia belum meminjam… dan belum menyalakan…

Is repeating dia before the second verb necessary?

No. One subject can cover multiple predicates: Dia meminjam … dan menyalakan … is natural. Repeating dia is optional and can add emphasis or clarity in longer sentences.

Is mikrofon the standard spelling? What about mic/mik?

Yes, mikrofon is the standard Indonesian spelling (per KBBI). Informally, people also say/write mik or mic (pronounced “mik”), but in formal writing use mikrofon.