Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Biar saya jelaskan sekalian, lalu kita gantian bertanya. - Let me explain all at once, then we’ll take turns asking questions.

Other meanings of biar exist: it can mean so that (like supaya/agar) or even even though (like biarpun), but not in this sentence.
Examples:
- Biar saya jelaskan. = Let me explain.
- Biar dia yang jawab. = Let him answer.

Why is it saya jelaskan and not saya menjelaskan? Can I say both?

Both are possible, with a slight nuance difference.

Biar saya jelaskan sounds like “let me explain it/this (thing)” and is very idiomatic in offers. It uses the bare -kan form, which is common after biar/biarkan/mari/ayo/tolong and in imperatives.
Biar saya menjelaskan focuses on the activity “explaining,” a touch more formal or heavier.
In neutral statements (not this offer), you’d typically say saya menjelaskan = “I explain / I’m explaining.”

What’s the role of the -kan in jelaskan?

The base adjective jelas means “clear.” Adding -kan makes a causative/transitive verb: jelaskan = “to make clear, to explain (something).”

Active form with prefix: menjelaskan.
Bare jelaskan is used in imperatives and in certain constructions (e.g., after biar, tolong): Tolong jelaskan lagi.

What does sekalian add here?

Sekalian means at the same time / while we’re at it / as well. It bundles the explaining with whatever is going on.

Compare:
- sekalian: bundling things opportunistically (“since we’re doing X, let’s do Y too”).
- sekaligus: “all at once/in one go.”
- sambil: “while” (two actions happening simultaneously).
Example: Saya beli roti sekalian susu. = I’ll buy bread and, while at it, milk too.

Can I move sekalian to another spot?

Yes. All are acceptable with tiny emphasis shifts:

Biar saya jelaskan sekalian. (very common)
Biar saya sekalian jelaskan.
Biar sekalian saya jelaskan. They all mean essentially the same; putting sekalian after the verb is the most typical.

What’s the difference between lalu, kemudian, and terus?

All can mean “then” as a connector.

lalu: neutral, common in speech and writing.
kemudian: a bit more formal/literary.
terus: more casual/colloquial (“and then/and after that/keep going”). You could use any of them here without changing the meaning much.

Why is it kita and not kami?

Kita = “we” including the listener. Kami = “we” excluding the listener. Since the speaker includes the listener in “taking turns,” kita is correct.

What does gantian mean? Is bergantian better?

Gantian (from ganti + -an) means taking turns / your turn/my turn and is colloquial but very common.

kita gantian bertanya = we take turns asking.
More formal: kita bergantian bertanya (with ber-).
Emphatic colloquial: kita ganti-gantian bertanya.
Noun: giliran = turn; e.g., Sekarang giliran saya.

Does bertanya take a direct object? How do I say whom or what I ask?

Bertanya is intransitive (no direct object).

Ask someone: bertanya kepada/pada/ke [orang].
Ask something (a question): use transitive menanyakan [hal/pertanyaan] (kepada [orang]). Examples:
Dia bertanya kepada guru.
Dia menanyakan harga (kepada penjual).

Can I use tanya instead of bertanya?

Yes, in casual speech: kita gantian tanya is fine. Standard/neutral is bertanya. With a direct object, prefer menanyakan:

Casual: Aku tanya dia.
Standard: Aku bertanya kepada dia / Aku menanyakan hal itu kepada dia.

Is the comma before lalu required?

A comma is customary to separate clauses for clarity: … sekalian, lalu …. In informal texting you might omit it, but in careful writing it helps readability.

Is biar polite enough? What are more formal alternatives?

Biar is neutral and fine in most spoken contexts. More formal options:

Izinkan saya menjelaskan (terlebih dahulu), kemudian/kemudiannya kita bergantian bertanya.
Mari saya jelaskan terlebih dahulu, kemudian kita bergantian bertanya. Avoid Silakan saya jelaskan (unnatural, because silakan invites the other person to act).

Would Mari work instead of Biar?

Yes: Mari saya jelaskan sekalian, lalu … is a polite way to say “Allow me to explain.” Note that mari kita … means “Let’s (we) …” together, while Mari saya … specifically invites/permits the speaker to do the action.

Can I use aku instead of saya here?

Yes, for informal settings: Biar aku jelaskan sekalian, …. Saya is the neutral/formal pronoun. Mixing saya with kita is perfectly fine; kita doesn’t force informality.

What is the implied object of jelaskan?

It’s understood from context—something like “it/this matter/this part.” Indonesian often omits objects when they’re obvious: Biar saya jelaskan (itu/halnya) ….