The suffix ‘-i- can change a intransitive verb – which in some verbs are created by adding the prefix ‘me-‘ to the root verb or noun – into a transitive verb. The suffix -i is then added to the base intransitive verb. This process is called Circumfix.
Root: tangis (verb – cry)
- Create base verb: prefix me- + root → menangis (Intransitive)
- In a sentence: Dia menangis.
- Meaning: He/She cries.
- Add suffix -i to the base verb → menangis+i. (transitive)
- In a sentence: Dia menangisi ayahnya yang sedang sakit.
- Meaning: He/She cries for his/her sick father.
Root: supir (noun – driver)
- Create base verb: prefix me- + base → menyupir (Intransitive)
- In a sentence: Dia menyupir.
- Meaning: He/She drives.
- Add suffix -i to the base verb → → menyupiri.(transitive)
- In a sentence: Dia menyupiri ayahnya ke rumah sakit.
- He/She drives his/her father to the hospital.