Breakdown of Perhatikan lampu yang berkedip di langit-langit.
lampu
the light
di
on
yang
that
langit-langit
the ceiling
Questions & Answers about Perhatikan lampu yang berkedip di langit-langit.
What does Perhatikan mean exactly, and how is it different from Lihat?
Perhatikan is an imperative verb meaning pay attention to / notice / observe.
It comes from memperhatikan (to pay attention to), which is related to the noun perhatian (attention).
In an imperative, Indonesian often drops the prefix and keeps the base + -kan:
- memperhatikan → Perhatikan! (Pay attention to…)
- melihat → Lihat! (Look!)
Differences:
- Perhatikan lampu… = Focus on it, notice it carefully (more active, attentive).
- Lihat lampu… = Look at the lamp (can be more casual, just directing your gaze).
So Perhatikan is slightly stronger and suggests careful observation, not just glancing.
Why is there no word for you in the sentence?
Indonesian often omits the subject you when it’s clear from context, especially in imperatives (commands/requests).
- Perhatikan lampu… literally: “Pay attention to the lamp…”
- The subject you is understood: “(You) pay attention to the lamp…”
You could add it, but it’s usually unnecessary:
- Kamu perhatikan lampu… (You pay attention to the lamp…)
- Tolong perhatikan lampu… (Please pay attention to the lamp…)
The bare Perhatikan… is a very natural, standard way to give an instruction.