memper-

Causative or Degree with Memper-

Level 4

The memper- prefix is a formal causative marker. It primarily means 'to make [adjective]' or 'to make [adjective]-er' (increasing a degree). When used with nouns, it means 'to treat as [noun]'.

How It Works

The memper- prefix is a versatile tool for expressing causation, degree, and status. Its functions include:

1. Causative of Degree (Adjectives)
When attached to adjectives, it means to increase the quality. Unlike meN-...-kan, which simply makes something 'X', memper- often implies making something 'more X' than it already is.

  • besar (big) → memperbesar (to enlarge/make bigger)
  • kecil (small) → memperkecil (to reduce/make smaller)

2. Treatment or Status (Nouns)
Attached to nouns, it indicates treating someone/something as that noun.

  • memper- + noun: Treating as (e.g., memperbudak - to treat as a slave).
  • memper- + noun + -kan: Giving that status to someone else (e.g., memperistrikan - to find a wife for one's son).

3. Complex Circumfixes (memper-...-i and memper-...-kan)
These patterns are used for specific causative or intensive meanings:

  • memper-...-i: Often used for improvement or renewal (e.g., memperbaiki - to fix/improve, memperbarui - to renew).
  • memper-...-kan: Can mean 'to utilize' or 'to treat as an object' (e.g., mempergunakan - to utilize, mempermasalahkan - to turn into a problem).

4. Passive Voice (diper-)
Verbs using memper- form their passive using diper-. The 'p' is always retained in both active and passive forms.

  • memperbaiki (active) → diperbaiki (passive)
  • memperluas (active) → diperluas (passive)

5. Morphological Rules
A critical rule is that the 'p' never drops. In standard meN- verbs, a root starting with 'p' usually undergoes nasal replacement. However, with memper-, the 'p' is stable: mem- + per- + besar remains memperbesar.

Examples (6)

  1. Teknisi itu sedang memperbaiki mesin yang rusak.

    The technician is repairing (improving) the broken machine.

    Word by Word: Technician that progressive-aspect fix machine which broken.

    The circumfix memper-...-i is used here with the root 'baik' (good) to mean 'to make better' or 'to repair'.

  2. Kita harus mempergunakan waktu luang dengan bijak.

    We must utilize (make use of) free time wisely.

    Word by Word: We must utilize time free with wise.

    The circumfix memper-...-kan with the root 'guna' (use) means 'to utilize' or 'to put to use'.

  3. Jalan ini sedang diperlebar oleh pemerintah.

    This road is being widened by the government.

    Word by Word: Road this progressive-aspect be-widened by government.

    This shows the diper- passive form of 'memperlebar'. The 'p' remains stable in the passive voice.

  4. Pemerintah berusaha memperkecil kesenjangan ekonomi.

    The government is trying to reduce (make smaller) the economic gap.

    Word by Word: Government try make-smaller gap economic.

    Here, 'memperkecil' is used with the adjective 'kecil' to show the action of making something smaller than it currently is.

  5. Dia memperbudak karyawannya dengan jam kerja yang panjang.

    He enslaves (treats as slaves) his employees with long working hours.

    Word by Word: He treats-as-slave employees-his with hour work which long.

    This demonstrates the use of 'memper-' with a noun ('budak') to mean 'treating as' or 'acting as if someone is' that noun.

  6. Penyanyi itu memperdengarkan suaranya yang merdu.

    The singer let her melodious voice be heard.

    Word by Word: Singer that cause-to-be-heard voice-her which melodious.

    When used with a verb root like 'dengar' (hear), 'memper-' acts as a causative, meaning 'to cause to be heard' or 'to let others hear'.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping the 'p' in the prefix.

    memerbesar
    memperbesar

    Unlike the standard meN- prefix rules where 'p' is replaced by 'm', the 'p' in the 'per-' component of 'memper-' is always retained.

  • Adding a redundant -kan suffix to adjectives.

    mempercantikkan
    mempercantik

    The standard form for this intended meaning is mempercantik. Do not freely add -kan to every adjective with memper-. Some established words have their own suffix pattern, such as memperbaiki, so learn the complete derived verb.

How It Connects

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memper-Level 4Causative or Degree with Memper-

Learn This First

To understand the memper- causative, you first need to be familiar with the active meN- prefix system. It is also helpful to understand the standard causative suffix -kan, as memper- often functions as a more formal or specific alternative for creating causative verbs, particularly when expressing an increase in a quality or degree.

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memper-