Ways to say it
| Indonesian | IPA |
|---|---|
| tolong | /ˈtɔlɔŋ/ (Standard Indonesian) |
| minta tolong | /mɪn.ta ˈtɔ.lɔŋ/ |
| kumohon |
Indonesian uses different words for 'please' depending on whether you are asking for a favor, giving permission or making a formal request. tolong is used when you are asking for assistance or a favor. The phrase minta tolong is a common way to express the actual act of requesting help. For formal requests or when asking permission, mohon is used to mean 'please' or 'I kindly request'. Additionally, silakan is used to mean 'please' in the sense of 'go ahead' or 'after you' when granting permission.
What does it mean word for word?
The word tolong literally means 'help' or 'to help'.
Which one should you use?
tolong is the standard word for making requests for assistance. In contrast, kumohon is much more intense and dramatic, translating more closely to 'I beg' or 'I implore'. While tolong asks for a favor, silakan is used to give permission (such as 'please, sit down') and mohon is used for highly formal requests.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtɔlɔŋ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use tolong when you mean 'please' in the sense of 'please, come in' or 'please, sit down'. In those situations where you are inviting someone to do something or giving them permission, use silakan instead.
Did you know?
- In many social situations, instead of using a word for 'please', Indonesians may simply use a polite title or a softening particle like ya to make a request sound less blunt.
- The word tolong shares the same root as the Tagalog word tulong, which also means 'help' or 'aid'.
- While tolong is used for favors, the word silakan is often accompanied by a gesture of an open palm facing upwards to invite someone to enter or sit.
Examples in context
- Tolong beri aku air.Please give me some water.This example shows how to use tolong to request an item.Tatoeba #7061810 by purichan, translation #250149 by CK
- Mary, tolong peluk aku.Mary, please hug me.This example shows how to use tolong to request an action.Tatoeba #4915456 by amangimam, translation #4914386 by WahahaDrills
- Tolong belikan aku ini!Please buy this for me.This example shows how to use tolong to request a favor.Tatoeba #13678373 by HAGNi, translation #2953253 by CK
- Mohon izin masukPlease, may I come in?
- Silakan dudukPlease, have a seat
- Tolong ambilkan buku ituPlease, fetch that book
- Tolong, bolehkah saya minta air minum?Please, may I have some water?
- Mohon maaf, bisakah Anda ulangi pertanyaan tersebut?I'm sorry, could you repeat that question, please?
- Silakan makan. Mohon nikmati sepenuhnya!Please eat. Enjoy it to the fullest, please!
- 176 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Budi is asking Maya for help with a heavy box.
- MayaTolong bantu aku angkat kotak ini.Please help me lift this box.
- MayaTentu, aku bantu sekarang.Sure, I'll help you now.
- MayaTolong letakkan di atas meja itu.Please put it on that table.
- MayaSiap, sudah selesai.Done, it's finished.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries tolong, minta tolong, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries minta, minta tolong, tolong, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
