Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Menjelang malam, kami menutup jendela dan menyalakan lampu. - As night approaches, we close the window and turn on the light.

Menjelang means “approaching/toward (a time or event).” It suggests the period just before something starts. It’s narrower and more immediate than sebelum (“before” in a general sense).

Menjelang malam = toward nightfall/just before night.
Sebelum malam = before night (could be any time earlier). You can also use menjelang with events: menjelang Lebaran, menjelang akhir tahun.

Is malam “night” or “evening”? How does it compare with sore, petang, senja?

Malam is “night” (after dark). Rough guide:

Sore: late afternoon.
Senja/Petang: dusk/twilight.
Malam: night. So menjelang malam ≈ “toward nightfall/at dusk.”

Why is it kami instead of kita?

Both mean “we,” but:

Kami = we (excluding the listener).
Kita = we (including the listener). Use kami if you mean “we (not you).” If you’re including the person you’re talking to, say: Menjelang malam, kita menutup jendela dan menyalakan lampu.

How do we know what tense this is?

Indonesian doesn’t mark tense on the verb. Context decides whether it’s past, present, or habitual. To be explicit:

Past: tadi malam, kemarin malam, barusan, sudah.
Habitual: biasanya, setiap malam.
In progress: sedang. Example: Tadi malam, kami menutup jendela dan menyalakan lampu.

What are the roots and affixes in menutup and menyalakan?

Menutup = meN- + tutup (“close/cover”) → “to close (something).”
Menyalakan = meN- + nyala
- -kan → “to turn on/ignite (make something be ‘on’).”
  - Menyala (no -kan) = “to be on/burning” (intransitive).
  - Menyalakan (with -kan) = “to cause to be on” (transitive, causative).

Why is it menyalakan and not menyalahkan?

Different roots:

Menyalakan comes from nyala (“to be alight”) → “to light/turn on.”
Menyalahkan comes from salah (“wrong”) → “to blame.” So menyalahkan lampu would mean “to blame the lamp,” which is wrong in this context.

Can I drop the meN- prefix in casual speech?

Yes, in colloquial Indonesian you’ll often hear bare verbs or -in forms:

Kami tutup jendela dan nyalain lampu.
Imperatives: Tutup jendela! Nyalain lampu! For neutral/formal writing, keep menutup and menyalakan.

Does jendela mean one window or the windows here?

Number is not marked; jendela could be singular or plural. To be clear:

Singular: sebuah jendela (“a window”).
Plural: jendela-jendela, beberapa jendela, semua jendela. Definiteness can be marked with itu or -nya: jendela itu/jendelanya (“the window[s]”).

How do I say “turn the lights on” vs “turn the lights off”?

Turn on: menyalakan lampu (also common: menghidupkan lampu).
Turn off: mematikan lampu (for flames: memadamkan api). All are natural; with electric lights, menyalakan/mematikan lampu is very common.

Is the comma after Menjelang malam required?

When a time phrase like Menjelang malam is fronted, a comma is standard and helps readability. You may see it omitted in informal writing, but the comma is recommended.

Can I move the time phrase to the end?

Yes: Kami menutup jendela dan menyalakan lampu menjelang malam. Meaning and tone remain the same; initial position just foregrounds the time.

Does dan imply sequence, or just “and”?

Dan is additive (“and”). If you want to emphasize sequence, add a connector:

Kami menutup jendela, lalu/kemudian menyalakan lampu.

How would I make it sound habitual?

Add adverbs of frequency:

Menjelang malam, kami biasanya menutup jendela dan menyalakan lampu.
Setiap malam menjelang malam is redundant; use either setiap malam or menjelang malam depending on nuance.

How do I negate this sentence?

Use tidak before the verb:

Kami tidak menutup jendela dan tidak menyalakan lampu.
Or split: Kami menutup jendela, tetapi tidak menyalakan lampu.

Is there a difference between menutup jendela and menutupi jendela?

Yes:

Menutup jendela = close the window (move it to the closed position).
Menutupi jendela = cover the window (with curtains/boards/etc.). Different action.

Are there natural synonyms or variations?

Menghidupkan for “turn on”: menutup jendela dan menghidupkan lampu.
Alternative time phrases: Saat mulai gelap, menjelang senja/petang, menjelang magrib (near sunset, common in Muslim contexts). All keep the same basic idea.