The prefixation ‘me- +’ to the root word (verb, noun or adjectives) or base word (suffixed words) gives no other meaning except that its presence is required to make the verb well formed and indicates that the verbs are transitive.
The main function of combination ‘me- + -kan’ is to create active transitive verb but it is not limited to the field only. The affixation does not happen simultaneously. It is called circumfix.
Example:
Root: laku (behaviour, apply)
- You can not add the prefix me-: me+laku → melaku. There is no such word.
- You can add the suffix -kan: laku+kan → The verb ‘lakukan!’ is used for imperatives which means “Do it!”
- The word ‘lakukan!’ becomes the base word/verb
- Add prefix ‘me-‘ → me + lakukan
- In a sentence: Saya melakukan pekerjaan ini.
- Meaning: I am doing this job.
Root: anjur (bulge, up)
- The root word ‘anjur’ does not make sense by itself.
- You can not add the prefix me-: me+anjur → menganjur. There is no such word.
- You can add the suffix -kan: anjur+kan → The verb ‘anjurkan!’ is used for imperatives which means “Suggest it!”
- The word ‘anjurkan!’ becomes the base word/verb
- Add prefix ‘me-‘ → me(ng) + anjurkan (suggest,advise)
- In a sentence: Dia menganjurkan kami untuk datang ke kantor lebih pagi.
- Meaning: He/She suggested/advised us to come to the office earlier.
Different Meanings
Sometimes we find two prefixed me- verbs with the same base, but one has -kan while the other does not, or one without the prefix me- and all are transitive. In these cases, the verbs have different meanings.
Root: pinjam (to borrow)
- When you add the prefix me-: me+pinjam → meminjam. (to borrow)
- In a sentence: Dia meminjam mobil saya.
- Meaning: He/She borrows my car.
- When you add the suffix -kan: pinjam+kan → pinjamkan. (imperative)
- In a sentence: Pinjamkan dulu mobil kamu!
- Meaning: Lend your car first!
- When you add the prefix me- to the base word ‘pinjamkan’ : me+pinjamkan → meminjamkan. (to lend)
- In a sentence: Dia meminjamkan mobil saya pada Susi.
- Meaning: He/She lends my car to Susi.
- In a sentence: Dia meminjamkan mobilnya pada saya .
- Meaning: He/She lends his/her car to me.
- In a sentence: Dia meminjamkan saya mobilnya.
- Meaning: He/She lends me his/her.