meN-
Active Transitive Verbs with MeN-
The meN- prefix forms many active verbs. Learn its sound changes together with the verb and construction; not every standard Indonesian verb or sentence requires this prefix.
How It Works
In Indonesian, the meN- prefix transforms a root word into an active verb. This is the counterpart to the di- passive.
1. Nasalization Rules
The 'N' in the prefix adapts to the root's first letter:
- me-: Used with roots starting with l, m, n, r, w, y, and the nasal digraphs ny and ng (e.g., lihat → melihat, nyanyi → menyanyi).
- mem-: Used with roots starting with b, f, v (e.g., baca → membaca).
- men-: Used with roots starting with c, d, j, z (e.g., dengar → mendengar).
- meng-: Used with roots starting with g, h, kh, or vowels. Note that the digraph kh is retained (e.g., ambil → mengambil, khawatir → mengkhawatirkan).
- meny-: Used with roots starting with s (e.g., sapu → menyapu).
- menge-: Used for one-syllable roots (e.g., cat → mengecat).
2. The K-P-S-T Rule
For ordinary roots beginning with K, P, S, or T followed by a vowel, the initial letter is normally dropped and replaced by the nasal sound:
- K becomes meng- (kirim → mengirim)
- P becomes mem- (pukul → memukul)
- S becomes meny- (satu → menyatu)
- T becomes men- (tulis → menulis)
3. Register
Use the standard meN- form where the verb and construction call for it. Bare verbs, object voice, and direct imperatives also occur in standard Indonesian. However, in casual conversation, speakers often drop the prefix entirely (e.g., Saya baca buku instead of Saya membaca buku).
Examples (5)
- Saya sedang menulis surat.
I am writing a letter.
Word by Word: I [progressive] write letter.
The root 'tulis' starts with 't', so it changes to 'menulis' following the K-P-S-T rule.
- Ibu memasak nasi di dapur.
Mother is cooking rice in the kitchen.
Word by Word: Mother cook rice at kitchen.
The root 'masak' starts with 'm', so the prefix becomes 'me-' (memasak).
- Mereka membantu orang tua itu.
They are helping that elderly person.
Word by Word: They help person old that.
The root 'bantu' starts with 'b', so the prefix becomes 'mem-' (membantu).
- Dia sedang melihat pemandangan.
He/She is looking at the scenery.
Word by Word: He/She [progressive] see scenery.
The root 'lihat' starts with 'l', so the prefix becomes 'me-' (melihat).
- Adik menyapu lantai setiap pagi.
Little sibling sweeps the floor every morning.
Word by Word: Little-sibling sweep floor every morning.
The root 'sapu' starts with 's', so it changes to 'menyapu' following the K-P-S-T rule.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting to drop the initial K, P, S, or T.
Saya mentulis surat.Saya menulis surat.When the root starts with T (tulis), the T must be dropped and replaced by the 'n' sound.
Using meN- verbs for commands.
Membaca buku ini!Baca buku ini!For this direct command, use Baca buku ini without meN-. Do not extend this rule to every directive: polite constructions such as Silakan mengisi formulir ini can retain meN-.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the meN- prefix, you first need to be comfortable with the basic SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) structure of Indonesian sentences. It is also important to realize that Indonesian verbs do not change to match the subject (agreement) or the time of the action (tense); instead, prefixes like meN- are used to indicate that the verb is active and usually takes a direct object.
- Verbs do not agree with the subject
Understanding that Indonesian verbs do not change based on the person or number of the subject is essential before learning how prefixes like meN- modify the verb's function instead.
Level 1 - Verbs do not change for tense
Learners must understand that Indonesian verbs are not conjugated for tense, as the meN- prefix indicates voice/transitivity rather than time.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- di-Basic Passive with Di-
The passive voice counterpart to the active meN- prefix.
Level 2 - ber-Basic Activity Verbs with Ber-
Another active prefix, but ber- is usually used for intransitive actions (no object).
Level 2 - peN-People and Tools with PeN-
Uses the same nasalization rules as meN- but creates nouns (the person who does the action).
Level 2 - Colloquial active roots
Explains how the meN- prefix is often omitted in informal Indonesian.
Level 4 - meN-...-kanCausative MeN-...-kan
A complex form where meN- is combined with a suffix to make a verb causative.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- -anResult or Object Nouns with -anLevel 2
- bahwaContent Clauses with BahwaLevel 2
- me-The Me- Form of MeN-Level 2
- mem-The Mem- Form of MeN-Level 2
- meng-The Meng- Form of MeN-Level 2
- sebagaiRole with SebagaiLevel 2
- Indonesian relative-clause gapLevel 3
- untuk + VerbPurpose Infinitive with UntukLevel 3
And 6 more in the full list.
Words in This Pattern
Practice meN- in Bubblegum
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