Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Handuk baru itu lembut; tolong ambilkan dua, dong. - Those new towels are soft; please get me two.

Itu is a post-nominal demonstrative meaning “that/those,” and often functions like a definiteness marker (“the”) for a specific, known referent. So handuk baru itu is “that new towel” or “those new towels,” depending on context. Without itu (just handuk baru), it feels more generic.

Why is the order handuk baru itu and not itu handuk baru or handuk itu baru?

handuk baru itu = “that new towel/those new towels” (noun + adjective + demonstrative).
handuk itu baru = “that/the towel is new” (subject + predicate adjective).
itu handuk baru sounds like “that is a new towel” (demonstrative subject + nominal predicate), but more natural would be itu (adalah) handuk baru. Each order changes the grammar and meaning.

Is handuk singular or plural here?

Indonesian doesn’t mark number by default, so handuk can be singular or plural. Context (and later dua) makes it clear you want two towels. If you need to force plural, you can reduplicate: handuk-handuk (“towels”), e.g., handuk-handuk baru itu = “those new towels.”

Does lembut mean “soft” like fabric-soft, or can it also mean “smooth”?

lembut = soft/gentle to the touch (e.g., towels, fur) or gentle in manner/voice.
halus = smooth/fine (texture or manner), not necessarily “soft.”
lunak = soft/malleable (food, clay).
empuk = soft/cushy (pillows, mattress, meat tenderness). For a towel, lembut is the most natural.

What’s the role of tolong? Is it necessary?

Tolong softens a request, roughly “please (help by…).” It’s polite and very common. You can omit it for a more direct tone, but tolong makes the ask friendlier: Tolong ambilkan… = “Please fetch…”

Why ambilkan and not just ambil?

Ambil = “take/get.”
Ambilkan (root ambil + suffix -kan) adds a benefactive/applicative sense: “get (something) for someone.” In requests, ambilkan signals you want the action done for you (or someone). It’s more natural and polite in this context.

What does dong mean? Is it polite?

Dong is an informal particle (colloquial, Jakarta/Betawi-influenced) that softens or nudges a request, like “please/come on.” Tone depends on delivery:

Friendly/softening: Tolong ambilkan dua, dong.
Impatient if stressed: Cepat dong! (“Hurry up, come on!”) Avoid dong in formal settings; stick to tolong (or mohon).

Why is it ambilkan dua with no noun after dua? Two what?

The noun (handuk) is contextually understood from the previous clause. Ellipsis like this is natural in Indonesian. If you want to be explicit, say Tolong ambilkan dua handuk or dua yang baru itu (“two of those new ones”).

Do I need a classifier, like buah or helai, with dua?

Not required. Dua handuk is perfectly natural. Classifiers are optional:

General: dua buah handuk (acceptable, slightly bookish or counting emphasis)
For cloth-like items: dua helai handuk (possible, though many speakers just say dua handuk) Everyday speech most often uses just the numeral + noun.

Is the semicolon and comma usage natural in Indonesian: lembut; tolong ambilkan dua, dong?

Yes. A semicolon can link two closely related clauses, similar to English. You could also use a period. The comma before dong reflects a pause; many people omit it: …ambilkan dua dong. Both are fine.

Is combining tolong and dong redundant?

They stack nicely. Tolong adds polite “please,” and dong adds friendly warmth or gentle insistence. Together they sound like a casual, courteous request to a peer, family member, or friend.

How would I make this fully formal?

Drop dong.
Keep or upgrade the politeness marker. Examples:
Tolong ambilkan dua handuk.
Mohon ambilkan dua handuk. (more formal)
Bisa tolong ambilkan dua handuk? (polite question form)

Could I include the recipient explicitly, like “for me”?

Yes:

Tolong ambilkan saya dua (handuk). (formal-neutral)
Tolong ambilkan aku dua (handuk). (informal)
Tolong ambilkan dua handuk untuk saya. (explicit “for me” with untuk) All are natural.

Is there a passive form that sounds polite in service contexts?

Yes, use the passive di- + -kan:

Tolong diambilkan dua handuk. This is common in service/hospitality and sounds respectfully indirect: “Please have two towels brought (for me).”

Does baru here mean “new,” or could it mean “just/only now”?

Here it’s the adjective “new.” Baru can also be an adverb meaning “just/only now,” but in handuk baru itu, its position right after the noun marks it as an adjective. Context removes ambiguity.

Is ambilin okay instead of ambilkan?

Ambilin is a colloquial Jakarta/Betawi variant of ambilkan. It’s fine in casual speech with friends/family: Tolong ambilin dua, dong. Avoid it in formal writing or formal situations.