meN-...-kan
Causative MeN-...-kan
The meN-...-kan circumfix turns adjectives, nouns, or intransitive verbs into transitive verbs that cause a change in an object.
How It Works
The meN-...-kan circumfix is a vital part of Indonesian grammar used to increase the 'valency' of a verb—meaning it allows the verb to take a direct object that is being acted upon.
1. Causative Function
This lesson focuses on the causative use, meaning 'to cause something to happen' or 'to make something become'.
- From adjectives: bersih (clean) → membersihkan (to clean/make clean).
- From intransitive verbs: jatuh (to fall) → menjatuhkan (to drop/make fall).
2. Benefactive Function
Indicates that an action is performed for someone else. In the promoted-beneficiary model, use [Verb-kan] + [Beneficiary] + [Item]. TBBI analyzes the beneficiary as the object and the item as a complement. Another clear model uses untuk: Ayah membeli mainan untuk adik. This does not mean -kan must always disappear before an item plus untuk phrase; TBBI also illustrates mencarikan pekerjaan untuk adiknya.
- Ayah membelikan adik mainan (Father bought sibling a toy).
3. Locative or Instrumental Function
When derived from a noun, it can mean 'to put the object into [noun]' or 'to treat the object with [noun]'.
- penjara (prison) → memenjarakan (to imprison/put in prison).
- pinggir (edge) → meminggirkan (to move something to the edge).
4. Referential Function
Used with verbs of communication to mean 'to talk about' or 'to express' a specific topic.
- cerita (story) → menceritakan (to tell/relate a story).
- tanya (ask) → menanyakan (to ask about something).
5. Morphological Rules
The prefix meN- follows standard nasalization rules. Note that many monosyllabic bases use the menge- allomorph (e.g., cat becomes mengecatkan). The suffix -kan remains stable. In casual speech, meN- is often dropped and -kan may be replaced by -in.
Examples (6)
- Ibu sedang memanaskan sup di dapur.
Mother is heating the soup in the kitchen.
Word by Word: Mother [progressive] make-hot soup at kitchen.
The adjective 'panas' (hot) becomes the causative verb 'memanaskan' (to make hot/heat).
- Dia menjatuhkan gelas itu ke lantai.
He dropped that glass onto the floor.
Word by Word: He make-fall glass that to floor.
The intransitive verb 'jatuh' (to fall) becomes the transitive causative verb 'menjatuhkan' (to drop).
- Ayah membelikan adik sebuah mainan baru.
Father bought little sibling a new toy.
Word by Word: Father buy-for younger-sibling one-[classifier] toy new.
In this promoted-beneficiary structure, adik follows the verb as the object and mainan is the item complement. Other benefactive constructions express or omit the beneficiary differently.
- Polisi memenjarakan pencuri itu.
The police imprisoned the thief.
Word by Word: Police put-in-prison thief that.
This is the locative function, where the noun 'penjara' (prison) is used to mean 'to put into prison'.
- Nenek menceritakan sebuah dongeng.
Grandmother told a fairy tale.
Word by Word: Grandmother tell-about one-[classifier] fairy-tale.
This is the referential function, where 'cerita' (story) becomes 'menceritakan' (to tell about something).
- Saya memasukkan kunci ke dalam tas.
I put the key into the bag.
Word by Word: I make-enter key to inside bag.
The verb 'masuk' (to enter) becomes 'memasukkan' (to put in/cause to enter).
Common Mistakes
Using memasukkan rumah when the intended meaning is entering the house yourself.
Saya memasukkan rumah.Saya memasuki rumah.For entering the house yourself, use memasuki rumah or masuk ke rumah. Memasukkan introduces something caused to enter, as in memasukkan kunci ke dalam tas; the choice depends on the participant roles, not simply on whether a noun denotes a location.
Using meparkirkan instead of the established memarkirkan.
Dia meparkirkan mobil.Dia memarkirkan mobil.According to nasalization rules, the 'p' in 'parkir' must be replaced by 'm' to become 'memarkirkan'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the causative meN-...-kan pattern, learners must first be familiar with the basic active verb prefix (meN-) and the general function of the -kan suffix. Since causative verbs typically involve an actor causing a change in an object, a solid grasp of basic SVO sentence structure is also essential.
Related Patterns
- meN-Active Transitive Verbs with MeN-
The meN- prefix provides the active voice component and follows specific nasalization rules used in meN-...-kan.
Level 2 - meN-...-iLocative MeN-...-i
In common transfer and location contrasts, -i makes the location or target the object, while -kan makes the transferred item the object. These are construction models, not the only meanings of either suffix.
Level 3 - di-...-kanPassive Causative or Benefactive
This is the passive counterpart to meN-...-kan, used when the object of the causative action becomes the subject.
Level 4 - memper-Causative or Degree with Memper-
Another causative prefix, but usually implies increasing a quality (e.g., 'to make wider') rather than just creating a state.
Level 4 - -inColloquial -in
In casual speech, the suffix -in often replaces -kan for causative meanings.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice meN-...-kan in Bubblegum
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