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Questions & Answers about Tolong panggil sopir sekarang.
What does the word tolong do here?
It turns the command into a polite request, roughly “please.” Literally it means “help (by doing X).” The common pattern is tolong + base verb: Tolong panggil …. You can soften it more with:
- Bisa tolong …? or Boleh tolong …? (Could you please…?)
- … ya/dong. (softening particles in speech)
Why is there no subject like “you”?
Indonesian imperatives normally omit the subject; it’s understood to be the listener. You can add one for emphasis or clarity:
- Neutral/formal: Tolong, Anda panggil sopir sekarang.
- Colloquial/emphatic: Kamu tolong panggil sopir sekarang. Adding a subject can sound stronger or scolding, so use with care.
Why is it panggil and not memanggil?
Imperatives typically use the base verb (no prefix): panggil. The meN- form (memanggil) is used in statements (e.g., “He calls the driver”). After tolong, the base form is most natural: Tolong panggil …. You’ll see Tolong memanggil … in formal writing, but it sounds heavy in everyday speech.
What’s the difference between panggil and panggilkan?
-kan often adds a benefactive/causative sense.
- Tolong panggil sopir … = please call/summon the driver.
- Tolong panggilkan sopir … = please call the driver for me/us (do it on our behalf).
Colloquial Jakarta Indonesian often uses panggilin for the same benefactive sense.
Does panggil mean “phone” the driver or “summon” the driver?
By default, panggil means “summon/call (someone over)” or “call by name.” If you specifically mean “call by phone,” say:
- Tolong telepon sopir sekarang. (standard; also spelled “telepon”)
- Tolong hubungi sopir sekarang. (“contact,” slightly more formal) In many contexts, panggil implies “get the driver to come here.”
Is sopir the correct spelling? What about supir or pengemudi?
- Standard Indonesian (KBBI): sopir (preferred).
- supir is very common in speech but nonstandard.
- pengemudi is formal/neutral (“driver” in regulations, forms). You’ll also hear the English loanword driver in ride-hailing contexts (e.g., “driver ojol”). Note: pemandu in Indonesian means “guide,” not “driver.”
Should it be sopir or sopirnya?
Use sopir when you mean “a/the driver” in general. Use sopirnya when it’s a specific, known driver (roughly “the driver”/“our driver”/“his driver,” depending on context):
- Tolong panggil sopirnya sekarang. = Please call the driver (we’ve been talking about) now.
Possessive clitics are also common: sopirku/sopirmu/sopirnya (my/your/his-her driver).
Is sekarang required? Are there alternatives?
It’s optional; it just adds “now.” Alternatives:
- segera, secepatnya, sekarang juga, langsung = ASAP/right away/immediately, with varying urgency.
- Without it: Tolong panggil sopir. (the timing is understood from context)
Where can I put sekarang in the sentence?
Most natural positions:
- End: Tolong panggil sopir sekarang. (most common)
- Beginning (emphasis on time): Sekarang, tolong panggil sopir. You can say Tolong sekarang panggil sopir in speech for emphasis, but avoid splitting the verb and its object in formal style (i.e., prefer not to say “Tolong panggil sekarang sopir” in careful writing).
How can I make this even more polite or softer?
Add address terms and softeners:
- Pak/Bu (sir/ma’am), Mas/Mbak (young man/woman)
- ya/dong (softening), tolonglah (gentle plea) Examples:
- Pak, tolong panggil sopirnya sekarang, ya.
- Bu, bisa tolong panggilkan sopirnya sekarang?
How do I say “Don’t call the driver now”?
- Neutral negative imperative: Jangan panggil sopir sekarang.
- Polite softening: Tolong jangan panggil sopir sekarang.
How do I say “Please have the driver come here now”?
- Tolong panggil sopirnya ke sini sekarang.
- More explicit: Tolong minta sopirnya datang ke sini sekarang.
Using minta … datang emphasizes asking the driver to come.
Any pronunciation tips for these words?
- panggil: the ng before g is like “finger” (you hear the “g”): pan-ggil.
- tolong: final ng is like “singer.”
- sekarang: the first e is a schwa (like the ‘a’ in “about”): sə-karang.
- Indonesian “r” is tapped/flapped (quick single trill).
Could I drop tolong and just say a bare command?
Yes: Panggil sopir sekarang. It’s more direct and can sound brusque. Using tolong (or a softener like ya) is the usual polite choice in everyday interaction.
Is si ever used, like si sopir?
Generally avoid si with professions here; si can sound casual or belittling unless you’re pointing to a specific known person in a familiar tone. Prefer sopir, sopirnya, or an address term (Pak Sopir when speaking to him directly).