Sometimes bases are repeated and affixes may attached to them. There are several functions:
To give a connotation of action done in a casual or leisurely way.
Example:
Root word: keliling (to go around)
- Kami keliling-keliling di kebun teh.
- We are just going around the tea plantation.
To indicate continued action.
Example:
Root word: teriak (to shout)
- Dia berteriak-teriak memanggil ibunya.
- He shouted and shouted for his mother.
To convey a sense of intensity.
Example:
Root word: menjadi(become)
- Kelakuannya menjadi-jadi.
- His behavior is getting worse.
To indicate that the action has not occurred.
Accompanied by ‘tidak’ it can indicate that the action has not occurred, usually implying that this is contrary to expectation.
Example:
Root word: masuk(enter, come)
- Sudah seminggu dia tidak masuk-masuk.
- He hasn’t turned up for a week.