Last updated on January 16, 2024
The prefix pe- has several functions:
To show the doer/person who does the action:
- Root word: nyanyi (to sing) > penyanyi (singer)
To inanimate objects, with which the action is performed:
- Root word: cetak (to print) > [mesin] pencetak (printer)
To explain the character of the person:
- Root word: marah (angry) > pemarah (ill tempered)
For someone who is fond of doing:
- Root word: balap (to race) > pembalap (racer)
To refer to sporting activities:
- Root word: tenis (tennis) > petenis (tennis player)
To form a noun that explain what that noun does:
- Root word: diri (self) > pendiri (founder)
To create different meaning by using different inflection:
- Root word: tunjuk (to point) > petunjuk (indicator)
- Root word: tunjuk (to point) > penunjuk (instructions)
| Roots | Prefix pe- | Meaning | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| nyanyi tulis | penyanyi penulis | singer writer | the doer/person who does the action |
| cetak garis hapus | (mesin)pencetak penggaris penghapus | printer ruler eraser | to inanimate objects, with which the action is performed |
| marah malu | pemarah pemalu | ill tempered shy person | to explain the character of the person |
| balap | pembalap | racer | someone who is fond of doing |
| main | pemain pemain bola petenis | player football player tennis player | to refer to sporting activities |
| tinju (men)tinju | petinju peninju | boxer someone who boxes | a boxer (as a profession) not necessarily a boxer |
| diri | pendiri | founder | |
| cinta (men)cinta | pecinta pencinta | lover a person with a passion | a person who dates, who makes love a person who really love or very passionate about something. |
| (me)tunjuk tunjuk | penunjuk petunjuk | indicator instructions, indication | In this case each has different meaning. |
| (men)jabat jabat | penjabat(menteri) pejabat | acting (minister) official | acting position, a person who performs someone else’s position temporarily a person who hold the position |