Last updated on January 10, 2024
With many verbs there is a neat contrast between suffix -i and -kan.
Typically, with an “-i” verb: the Undergoer stays where it is, while the action is directed towards it.
Typically, with a “-kan” verb: the Undergoer moves from one place to another, while it is caused to do or used to do the action.
Examples
| Ari memasuki mesjid. | Ari entered the mosque. | The mosque stays where it is, while Ari enters it. |
| Ari memasukkan koin. | Ali inserted a coin. | The coin moves, when Ari inserts it. |
Examples
| Bu Ani menawari tamu itu teh. | Bu Ani offered the guest tea. | The guest stays in one place, while this action “menawari” is directed at him/her. |
| Bu Ani menawarkan teh kepada tamu. | Bu Ani offered tea to the guest.. | The tea moves, as this action “menawarkan” is done. |
Not Always Contrast
The endings -i and -kan do not always contrast in this way. On a few verbs -i and -kan have the same meaning. Examples: menyesali /menyesalkan (‘to regret something)’; menyakiti /menyakitkan (to hurt someone)’; menamai /menamakan (to name someone).
To see that the Undergoer moves with a “-kan” verb, sometimes you need a little imagination.
Examples
| Mereka meneriakkan yel-yel. | They shouted chants. (teriak = to shout) | The chants move because they fly through the air. |
| Dia menuliskan kata “Merdeka!” pada tembok. | S/he wrote the word “Merdeka!” on the wall. | The word “Merdeka” moves from the pen onto the wall. |
In Passive Sentence
When you use Passive, the same rule applies. But now the Undergoer, i.e. the thing which moves or doesn’t move, is on the left of the verb. E.g.
| Ari memasuki mesjid. | Ari entered the mosque. | active |
| Mesjid itu dimasuki oleh Ari. | The mosque was entered by Ari. | passive |
| Ari memasukkan koin. | Ari inserted a coin. | active |
| Koin itu dimasukkan oleh Ali. | The coin was inserted by Ari. | passive |
About the author: Tim Hassall is head of the Indonesian language program at the Australian National University (ANU). He has taught Indonesian for more than twenty years, and before that he taught English as a Second Language full-time to adults for some years. He has an MA in Applied Linguistics (TESOL) and a PhD in Applied Linguistics. Tim has published a number of journal articles and book chapters on the learning of pragmatics of Indonesian by Australian students. He has also written many grammar units and a short self-study reading course in Colloquial Jakartan Indonesian, all of which are available on the BahasaKita website.