Gunakan

Gunakan is the imperative form of the Indonesian verb menggunakan, meaning to use. It functions as a direct command or instruction and is commonly found in manuals, safety notices, signage, and everyday guidance. As an imperative, gunakan does not state a subject and is addressed to the listener or reader.

In Indonesian, verbs are not conjugated for tense; mood and context determine meaning. Gunakan is typically used for instructions or recommendations, while other forms such as menggunakan (present or ongoing use) and digunakan (passive) express different aspects of the action. The word guna means use or usefulness, and the verb meng- prefix with -kan forms the more general verb menggunakan.

Gunakan sits alongside synonyms and related verbs. Memakai and memakai (informal) and memanfaatkan (to utilize or make the most of) are commonly used, depending on register and nuance. Use of gunakan is generally preferred in formal writing, manuals, and official signage, whereas pakai or memakai are preferred in everyday speech.

Examples illustrate typical usage:

- Gunakan alat ini dengan hati-hati. (Use this tool with care.)

- Sebelum menggunakan produk ini, bacalah petunjuknya. (Before using this product, read the instructions.)

- Jangan gunakan perangkat ini jika kabelnya rusak. (Do not use this device if its cable is damaged.)

Polite or emphatic forms exist as gunakanlah or gunalah in more formal or forceful contexts.

See also: memakai, memakai, menggunakan.