Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Kalaupun ada kendala, tolong sampaikan kabar lebih awal. - Even if there is an obstacle, please convey the news earlier.

Kalaupun adds concessive emphasis: it means even if. Plain kalau just means if. So kalaupun sounds stronger/more emphatic than kalau.

Should it be written Kalaupun or Kalau pun?

Both kalaupun and kalau pun are used. Many editors prefer kalau pun (two words) because pun is a particle; others accept the fused kalaupun by analogy with walaupun/meskipun. Meaning is the same; in very formal writing, kalau pun is the safer choice.

How is Kalaupun different from Walaupun, Meskipun, or Sekalipun?

kalaupun = even if (often hypothetical).
walaupun/meskipun = although/even though (often about real facts).
sekali pun/sekalipun = even if/even though with stronger emphasis or a more literary tone. In everyday speech, these often overlap, but the hypothetical vs. factual nuance is the classic distinction.

Can I put the main clause first?

Yes. Both orders are natural:

Kalau pun ada kendala, tolong sampaikan kabar lebih awal.
Tolong sampaikan kabar lebih awal, kalau pun ada kendala. A comma is customary when the conditional clause comes first.

What nuance does Kendala have compared to Masalah or others?

Kendala suggests an obstacle/impediment that hinders progress (often neutral/formal). Near-synonyms:

masalah: problem/issue (very general).
halangan: hindrance/barrier (slightly formal).
kesulitan: difficulty.
gangguan: disturbance/disruption. In workplace contexts, kendala is common.

Is Kendala singular or plural here?

Indonesian usually leaves number unmarked. Ada kendala can mean “there is a problem” or “there are problems.” If you want to mark plural, use beberapa kendala. Reduplication (kendala-kendala) is grammatical but uncommon in everyday speech.

How polite is Tolong? How does it compare with Mohon, Harap, Silakan?

tolong: polite, neutral “please” in requests.
mohon: more formal/deferential (to superiors/clients).
harap: used in notices/instructions (impersonal, firm).
silakan: “please go ahead/feel free” (inviting, not a request).

Is Sampaikan kabar idiomatic? What are alternatives?

Yes, sampaikan kabar is fine, slightly formal. Common alternatives:

Neutral: beri kabar, kabari, beri tahu/beritahu.
Informal: kasih kabar, kabarin (colloquial).
Formal: mengabarkan, menginformasikan.

What’s the difference between Kabari, Kabarkan, and Sampaikan kabar?

kabari [person] (suffix -i) emphasizes the recipient: Kabari saya lebih awal.
kabarkan [news] (kepada [person]) (suffix -kan) emphasizes the content: Kabarkan perubahan jadwal kepada kami.
sampaikan kabar focuses on delivering/passing on the message: Sampaikan kabar lebih awal. All are correct; choose based on what you want to highlight (recipient vs. content vs. act of delivering).

Why is it Sampaikan (without meny-)? What’s the base form?

The base verb is menyampaikan (meN- + sampai + -kan). In imperatives, Indonesian typically drops the meN- prefix, keeping the suffix: Sampaikan = “(please) deliver/convey.” Note that sampai normally means “arrive,” but menyampaikan means “to convey/deliver (a message).”

What’s the difference between Kabar and Berita?

kabar: news/update in a personal or small-scale context (messages, notifications).
berita: news/reporting, often media or official announcements. In office language, informasi/pemberitahuan are also common.

What exactly does Lebih awal mean, and what are good substitutes?

Lebih awal = earlier/sooner than the expected time. Alternatives:

lebih cepat, lebih dini (slightly formal), lebih dulu.
For urgency: secepatnya/sesegera mungkin = as soon as possible (not necessarily “in advance”).
For strong “in advance”: jauh-jauh hari (well in advance).

Earlier than what? Do I need to name a reference point?

Context usually supplies it (e.g., earlier than the meeting/start time). You can make it explicit: lebih awal dari jadwal, sebelum hari-H, lebih awal dari yang direncanakan.

Do I need to say who should be informed (me/us)?

If the recipient is clear from context, it can be omitted. To be explicit, add it:

Tolong sampaikan kabar lebih awal kepada saya/kami/tim.

Can I soften the tone further?

Yes. Add particles or softeners:

… lebih awal ya. (friendly/soft)
… tolong ya. (gentle)
… dong. (very informal) Avoid dong in formal contexts.

How would this look in casual vs. formal styles?

Casual: Kalau ada kendala, kabarin lebih awal ya.
Neutral: Kalau pun ada kendala, tolong beri kabar lebih awal.
Formal: Apabila terdapat kendala, mohon menginformasikan lebih awal.