Most Indonesian language learners find the circumfix di- -kan and di- -i often confusing. There are no consistent patterns of usage that distinguish the two. However they can produce different meanings. You just have to remember it.
The following examples shows the word that can use both the confix di- -kan and di- -i .
Root: beban (load, burden – noun)
di- -kan
- You add the suffix -kan: beban+kan → The verb ‘bebankan’ (imperative) which means “Impose it!” → Base word 1
- In a sentence: Jangan bebankan tugas ini pada anak itu.
- Meaning: Do not assign this task to that child.
- You can’t add the prefix di- to the root word ‘beban’ as there is no such word as ‘dibeban’.
- You then add the prefix di- to the base word ‘bebankan’: di + bebankan → ‘dibebankan’ (passive form)
- In a sentence: Kenaikan harga minyak selalu dibebankan pada konsumen.
- Meaning: Oil price increase is always imposed on the consumer.
di- -i
- You add the suffix -i: beban+i → The verb ‘bebani’. → Base word 2
- As base words, both ‘bebani’ and bebankan’ has the same meaning.
- In a sentence: Saya tidak mahu dibebani hutang.
- Meaning: I don’t want to be burdened with debt.