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Confused about jangan vs dilarang in Indonesian? Learn how these two imperative forms differ, when to use each, and practice with real examples.
If you’ve ever tried to tell someone “don’t” in Indonesian, you’ve probably run into two words that seem to mean the exact same thing: jangan and dilarang. They both translate to “don’t” or “prohibited,” but native speakers don’t use them interchangeably — and mixing them up can make you sound stiffer (or ruder) than you intend. This guide breaks down jangan vs dilarang so you can use both naturally, whether you’re chatting with a friend or reading a sign at the airport. By the end, jangan vs dilarang won’t feel like a grammar trap anymore, just a simple choice based on who you’re talking to and where.
What Are Imperative Sentences in Indonesian?
Before diving into jangan vs dilarang, it helps to understand how Indonesian builds commands in the first place. An imperative sentence in Indonesian can be formed with just the base verb, or with the base verb plus the particle -lah.
Adding -lah softens the command and makes it sound more polite. Compare:
- Baca bukumu! (“Read your book!”) — direct, a bit blunt
- Bacalah bukumu! (“Please read your book.”) — softer, friendlier
The same pattern applies to buka (“open”): Buka pintu itu! versus the gentler Bukalah pintu itu!. As a rule of thumb, commands without -lah can feel impolite in certain situations, so -lah is your friend when you want to sound courteous. There’s also a related form using the suffix -kan (as in bacakan, “read it for someone”), which we cover in more depth in our guide on the Indonesian me- prefix if you want to go deeper into Indonesian verb affixes.
Negative Imperatives: Jangan vs Dilarang
Now for the main event. Both jangan and dilarang turn a sentence into a negative command, but they come from very different registers. The structure is simple:
Jangan / Dilarang + verb or adjective
The real difference in jangan vs dilarang comes down to tone and audience. Jangan is personal — you say it directly to someone, the way you’d give advice or a warning to a friend or family member. Dilarang is formal and impersonal — it’s the language of rules, regulations, and public signage, not everyday conversation.
Jangan in Everyday Conversation
Jangan feels like a caring nudge rather than an official rule. You’ll hear it constantly in daily life:
- Jangan sedih. (“Don’t be sad.”)
- Ibu jangan sedih. (“Mom, don’t be sad.”)
- Jangan kecewa. (“Don’t be disappointed.”)
- Jangan menangis. (“Don’t cry.”)
- Adik jangan menangis. (“Little sister, don’t cry.”)
- Jangan makan di situ. (“Don’t eat there.”)
Notice how naturally jangan fits into conversations between people who know each other — comforting someone, giving a gentle warning, or setting a small boundary.
Dilarang in Formal and Public Settings
Dilarang, on the other hand, belongs to official notices and rules aimed at the general public, not one specific person:
- Dilarang merokok. (“No smoking.”)
- Dilarang masuk. (“No entry.”)
- Pasien dilarang masuk. (“Patients are not allowed to enter.”)
- Dilarang berisik di perpustakaan. (“No noise in the library.”)
- Dilarang duduk di kursi ini. (“Do not sit on this chair.”)
You’ll spot dilarang on signs in hospitals, libraries, offices, and other public spaces. It carries the weight of a rule rather than a personal request, which is exactly why swapping it for jangan in a formal sign — or vice versa in a casual chat — can sound off.
Jangan vs Dilarang: A Quick Comparison
| Â | Jangan | Dilarang |
Tone | Personal, conversational | Formal, official |
Used for | Advice, requests, warnings | Rules, regulations, signage |
Typical setting | Home, friends, family | Public spaces, institutions |
Example | Jangan menangis. | Dilarang merokok. |
Once you see them side by side, jangan vs dilarang becomes much easier to remember: think of jangan as something a person says, and dilarang as something a sign says. When you’re unsure which one fits, just ask yourself who’s “speaking” — a person or a rule.
Practice Time
The best way to solidify your understanding of Indonesian imperatives is to practice! Try these two quick exercises based on jangan vs dilarang and the -lah particle you learned above.
Exercise 1: Make It Polite
Turn these basic verbs into polite commands using the particle -lah.
- Buka (To open) → _______________!
- Baca (To read) → _______________!
- Mandi (To take a bath) → _______________!
- Tulis (To write) → _______________!
- Buat (To make/do) → _______________!
- Pakai (To use/wear) → _______________!
- Cuci (to wash) → _______________!
- Bayar (To pay) → _______________!
Exercise 2: Unscramble the Words
Rearrange these words into correct Indonesian imperatives — decide whether each one calls for jangan or dilarang.
- ~lah – di – tidur – sini – !
Answer: ___________________________________ - baca – novel – lah – itu – dua – !
Answer: ___________________________________ - pergi – sana – jangan – ke – !
Answer: ___________________________________ - ~lah – baju – bawa – ini – sepuluh – !
Answer: ___________________________________ - adik – cari – mu – lah – !
Answer: ___________________________________ - di – merokok – sini – dilarang – !
Answer: ___________________________________ - toko – di – topi – itu – beli – !
Answer: ___________________________________
Answer Key
Exercise 1: 1. Bukalah, 2. Bacalah, 3. Mandilah, 4. Tulislah, 5. Buatlah, 6. Pakailah, 7. Cucilah, 8. Bayarlah
Exercise 2: 1. Tidurlah di sini! 2. Bacalah dua novel itu! 3. Jangan pergi ke sana! 4. Bawalah sepuluh baju ini! 5. Carilah adikmu! 6. Dilarang merokok di sini! 7. Belilah topi itu di toko!
Wrapping Up
Getting jangan vs dilarang right is one of those small details that makes your Indonesian sound noticeably more natural. Jangan keeps things warm and personal, while dilarang signals an official rule — once that distinction clicks, you’ll never second-guess a sign or a friendly warning again. Keep practicing with real sentences, and jangan vs dilarang will soon become second nature.
Want more guided practice like this, with real feedback from a native instructor? BASANTARA offers live online Bahasa Indonesia classes designed for learners at every level. Chat with us on WhatsApp at +6285213968601 or visit basantara.net to get started.
