duduklah

Duduklah is a polite imperative form of the Indonesian verb duduk, meaning to sit. It functions as a command or invitation that asks someone to sit down, while maintaining courtesy.

The word is formed by the verb duduk plus the enclitic particle -lah, which in Indonesian grammar is used to soften commands or add emphasis without changing the basic meaning of the verb. The addition of -lah signals politeness and can make a directive feel less abrupt.

Usage is common in hospitality contexts, formal conversations, or service interactions when inviting guests to take a seat. It is more formal or courteous than the plain imperative duduk, and can feel ceremonial in very formal settings. In everyday speech, speakers may use more neutral expressions such as silakan duduk or silahkan duduk, which convey permission and politeness similar to duduklah.

Pronunciation is typically rendered as doo-dook-lah, with the -lah serving as a soft, non-stressed suffix. In Indonesian, -lah is one of several particle suffixes that modify the politeness or force of a command. The same pattern appears in other imperatives such as makanlah (eat) or diamlah (be quiet). See also duduk, -lah particle, Indonesian grammar, and Malay language.