Last updated on January 16, 2024
Prefix ber- is used to form active intransitive verb (intransitive: verb that do not need object) and it could not transformed to passive sentence. Prefix ber- is mostly combined with verbs, however they may be derived from nouns, verbs or other sources too.
Ber + Verb = refers to work
- kerja (to work) > ber+ kerja > bekerja (to work)
- The word ‘bekerja’ means work is regularly performed or done for a living.
Another examples:
- kunjung (to visit) > ber+ kunjung > berkunjung (to pay a visit)
- dagang (to trade) > ber+ dagang > berdagang (to engage in trading)
Ber + Verb = Reflexive verb
A reflexive verb is one in which the subject of the verb does something to itself.
dansa (to dance) > ber+ dansa > berdansa (to dance)
| Root | In Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| dansa | Kakak saya suka berdansa. | My sister loves to dance. |
| dandan | Dia perlu waktu lama untuk berdandan. | She needs a lot of time to dress up. |
| doa | Dia berdoa setiap malam. | She prays every night. |
| henti | Taxi kami berhenti di depan rumah. | Our taxi stops in front of the house. |
| tanya | Boleh saya bertanya? | May I ask? |
Formal and Colloquial forms
Some words with the ber- prefix have the same meaning as those that do not have the ber- prefix. When speaking, Indonesians use either word. Words with the ber- prefix are formal and the correct form to use when you write in Indonesian.
- belanja OR berbelanja – to shop
- dagang OR berdagang – to do business, sell
- kumpul OR berkumpul – to gather
- main OR bermain – to play
- nyanyi OR bernyanyi – to sing