Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Silakan baca keterangan lengkap di papan tulis. - Please read the complete information on the board.

Silakan is a polite invitation or permission: “go ahead,” “feel free to.” It’s softer than a direct command and less of a personal plea than English “please.” A teacher or host often uses it to let someone proceed with an action the speaker authorizes or expects.

Why is it baca and not membaca?

Indonesian imperatives use the base verb (no meN- prefix). So the imperative of membaca is baca. With or without silakan, a direct “read” command uses baca.

Is Silakan membaca … also correct?

Yes. Both are acceptable:

Silakan baca … = a direct, instruction-like invitation to read something specific.
Silakan membaca … = slightly more formal or activity-oriented, like “please proceed with reading.” In everyday instructions, Silakan baca … is the most common.

Why is it keterangan lengkap, not lengkap keterangan?

Adjectives typically follow nouns in Indonesian. So it’s noun + adjective: keterangan lengkap (“complete details”). Putting the adjective first is ungrammatical in this case.

What does keterangan mean, and how does it differ from other words like penjelasan, informasi, or rincian?

keterangan: information/clarification/details (often bureaucratic/official tone).
penjelasan: explanation (clarifying reasons/logic).
informasi: information (neutral, general).
rincian/detail: details/breakdown (itemized specifics). In this sentence, keterangan lengkap ≈ “the full details.”

How is di used here? Is it a prefix or a preposition?

Here di is a preposition meaning “at/on/in,” so it’s written separately: di papan tulis. The passive prefix di- attaches to verbs (e.g., dibaca) and has no space. Compare:

di papan tulis (at the board)
dibaca (be read)

What exactly is a papan tulis? Is it a bulletin board?

Papan tulis is a classroom writing board (chalkboard or whiteboard). A bulletin/notice board is papan pengumuman. If you specifically mean a whiteboard, many people still say papan tulis, or papan putih in some contexts.

Do I need something like “the” in Indonesian, e.g., di papan tulis itu?

Indonesian has no articles. Definiteness is optional and shown by context or by adding:

itu (that/the specific one): di papan tulis itu
tersebut (the aforementioned, formal): di papan tulis tersebut
-nya for definiteness/possession in a different structure: keterangan lengkapnya ada di papan tulis

How do I show I’m addressing one person vs several, or show respect?

The sentence already works for any number. If needed, add a pronoun:

Respectful/formal: Silakan Anda baca … (often unnecessary; overusing Anda can sound stiff).
To a group: Silakan kalian baca …
To an individual informally: Silakan kamu baca … Often, pronouns are omitted and tone does the work.

How would I change the tone with other words like tolong, mohon, harap, coba?

Tolong baca …: “Please (help by) reading …” A request that benefits the speaker; neutral/polite.
Mohon dibaca …: very formal/polite (signs, official messages). Mohon pairs naturally with passive or nouns.
Harap baca / Harap dibaca …: formal, directive (notices, rules).
Coba baca …: softer/encouraging, “try reading …,” often in speech.

Is the passive version Silakan dibaca … okay?

Yes. Silakan dibaca … is common in announcements and written instructions, keeping the subject implicit. It feels slightly more impersonal than Silakan baca …. Compare:

Silakan baca keterangan lengkap … (direct invitation to you)
Silakan dibaca keterangan lengkap … (impersonal invitation/permission)

What about the suffix -lah in Bacalah?

Adding -lah to an imperative (e.g., Bacalah) softens/formalizes it. You usually choose either Silakan baca … or Bacalah …; combining both (Silakan bacalah …) can sound heavy unless you want extra politeness/formality (e.g., in written instructions).

Can I add softening or sequencing particles like dulu or ya?

Yes, common in speech:

Silakan baca dulu … = please read first (before something else).
Silakan baca, ya. = adds a soft, friendly tone. Casual particles like dong/deh exist but are informal and context-dependent.

Does lengkap change form for number or gender?

No. Indonesian adjectives don’t inflect for number or gender. Lengkap stays the same regardless of what it describes.

Any pronunciation or spelling tips for these words?

silakan: si-LA-kan (standard spelling). silahkan is widespread but nonstandard in formal writing.
baca: BA-cha (c = ch).
keterangan: kə-tə-RAH-ngan (ng = nasal [ŋ]).
lengkap: lêng-KAP (ng = [ŋ]).
papan tulis: PA-pan TOO-lis. Remember the space in di papan tulis.

Can I move di papan tulis to the front?

Yes, for emphasis or flow, especially in writing:

Di papan tulis, silakan baca keterangan lengkap. It sounds a bit more formal or stylistically marked. In neutral speech, the original order is most natural.

Can I say keterangan yang lengkap instead of keterangan lengkap?

You can, but it changes nuance. Keterangan lengkap is the normal noun + adjective phrase “complete details.” Keterangan yang lengkap (“the details that are complete”) adds contrast or emphasis, as if distinguishing complete details from incomplete ones. Use it when you need that contrast.