Learn Hardcore Indonesian: Di dekat gerbang tol, kami pindah ke lajur kiri. - Near the toll gate, we moved to the left lane.

Di dekat literally means “at a place near (something).” It’s a locative phrase: di = at/in, dekat = near/close. Starting a sentence with Di dekat X, ... is very natural to set the scene.

You can also say Dekat gerbang tol, kami ... in casual speech; it’s understood, but di dekat sounds a bit more complete and is preferred in neutral/formal style.

Two other common patterns:

Rumah saya dekat kampus. (predicate adjective “near”)
Rumah saya dekat dengan kampus. (also common: “near to”)

What exactly is gerbang tol? Is pintu tol also correct?

Gerbang tol is a toll gate/plaza area with booths where you pay or tap. It’s not the toll road itself (that’s jalan tol). Many people also say pintu tol (“toll gate/door”), and you’ll hear pintu masuk/keluar tol for specific entry/exit gates. All are understood; gerbang tol is very standard.

Why is kami used here instead of kita?

In Indonesian:

kami = we (excluding the listener)
kita = we (including the listener)

So kami pindah... means “we (not you) changed lanes.” If you’re speaking to someone who is part of the action (e.g., to your driver or your friend in the car), you’d typically use kita: Kita pindah ke lajur kiri.

Can I drop the subject and just say Pindah ke lajur kiri?

Yes. Indonesian often drops pronouns when context makes them clear. Pindah ke lajur kiri can be:

an instruction (“Change to the left lane”),
or a clipped narration if context already established the subject.

Why use pindah here instead of verbs like belok, menepi, or geser?

pindah (lajur) = change lanes (neutral and common)
belok (kiri/kanan) = turn left/right (e.g., at an intersection)
menepi = pull over to the side/shoulder
geser (ke kiri/kanan) = shift over a bit (often small lateral movement)

For a lane change, pindah ke lajur kiri (or pindah lajur ke kiri) is the natural choice.

Would berpindah sound better than pindah?

Both are correct. Berpindah is a bit more formal/literary; pindah is the everyday choice. You might see berpindah lajur in official or written traffic instructions. In conversation: Kami pindah ke lajur kiri is perfect.

Why say ke lajur kiri and not just ke kiri?

Ke kiri just means “to the left/leftward,” which could be a turn. Ke lajur kiri specifies that you’re moving into the left lane, i.e., a lane change rather than a turn.

What’s the difference between lajur, jalur, and lorong?

lajur = lane (official/standard for lanes on a road)
jalur = route/line/track; in practice, many people use it for “lane” too (e.g., jalur kiri), and you’ll see it on signs
lorong = corridor/alley/passage; not used for highway lanes

On Indonesian roads you’ll encounter both lajur and jalur for lanes. Lajur is the safest choice in formal usage.

Why is it lajur kiri (noun + adjective) instead of “left lane” order?

Indonesian normally places descriptors after the noun. So:

lajur kiri = left lane
pintu keluar = exit gate
gerbang tol = toll gate

How do I show past, present, or future time here? Indonesian has no tense markers, right?

Correct—Indonesian relies on context and optional time/aspect words:

Past/completed: tadi, barusan/baru saja, sudah
Example: Tadi, di dekat gerbang tol, kami sudah pindah ke lajur kiri.
Progressive: sedang
Example: Kami sedang pindah ke lajur kiri.
Future: akan, nanti, sebentar lagi
Example: Sebentar lagi kami akan pindah ke lajur kiri.

Is the comma after Di dekat gerbang tol required?

It’s optional but common. Fronted adverbials (time/place phrases) are often followed by a comma for clarity: Di dekat gerbang tol, kami... Without the comma is also acceptable in many contexts.

Are there other natural ways to phrase this in traffic talk?

Yes, depending on nuance:

Menjelang gerbang tol, kami pindah ke lajur kiri. (as we approached)
Kami ambil lajur kiri (di dekat gerbang tol). (take the left lane)
Kami masuk lajur kiri.
Instructional: Tolong pindah ke lajur kiri. / Ayo/Mari pindah ke lajur kiri. / Tetap di lajur kiri, ya.

What’s the nuance difference between di dekat X and dekat dengan X?

di dekat X = locative phrase “at a spot near X.”
dekat dengan X = predicate “(is) near to X.”
Examples:
Kami berhenti di dekat gerbang tol.
Mobil itu dekat dengan gerbang tol.

Both are very common; choose based on sentence structure.

Should tol be capitalized?

Lowercase when generic: gerbang tol, jalan tol. Capitalize in proper names: Jalan Tol Jakarta–Cikampek, Gerbang Tol Cikarang.

How do I say “leftmost lane” or “rightmost lane”?

Use paling (“most”):

lajur paling kiri = leftmost lane
lajur paling kanan = rightmost lane You can also hear lajur sebelah kiri/kanan (“the lane on the left/right”) for a less absolute feel.

Any quick pronunciation tips for the key words?

di = “dee”
dekat = dǝ-KAT (first “e” is a schwa)
gerbang = gǝr-BAHNG (hard g; roll the r lightly)
tol = “toll” (spelled tol)
kami = KAH-mee
pindah = PEEN-dah (final h is breathy)
lajur = LA-joor (j as in “judge”)
kiri = KEE-ree

Could I say pindah jalur instead of pindah lajur?

Yes, many speakers say pindah jalur, and you’ll see it in media and on some signs. If you want to be textbook/official, pindah lajur is the standard term for changing lanes, but both are widely understood.