-kan / -i

Choosing -kan or -i

Level 3

For many transfer pairs, -kan makes the moved thing the object, while -i makes the recipient or location the object. These are useful construction models; each derived verb has its own established meaning.

How It Works

When a verb involves both a 'thing' and a 'target', Indonesian uses these suffixes to clarify the relationship:

1. The Theme Focus (-kan):
In this transfer use of -kan, the direct object is the thing being transferred or moved.
Example: Mengirimkan surat (Sending the letter).

2. The Benefactive Focus (-kan):
In benefactive constructions, -kan allows the person you are doing the action for to become the direct object.
Example: Membelikan ibu bunga (Buying mother flowers).

3. The Recipient/Locative Focus (-i):
In this recipient or locative use of -i, the direct object is the person or place receiving the action.
Example: Mengirimi ibu (Sending [to] mother).

4. The Iterative Focus (-i):
The -i suffix can also indicate that an action is performed repeatedly or with many objects.
Example: Melemparkan batu (Throwing a stone) vs. Melempari mangga (Pelting mangoes with stones).

5. Causative vs. Directional:
With verbs of motion, the distinction is even sharper:

  • Memasukkan: To put something inside (causing the object to enter).
  • Memasuki: To enter a place (moving yourself into the location).
  • Mendekatkan: To bring something closer.
  • Mendekati: To approach something/someone.

Examples (6)

  1. Ayah membelikan adik mainan baru.

    Father bought my younger sibling a new toy.

    Word by Word: Father buy-for younger-sibling toy new.

    The suffix -kan here is benefactive; the direct object 'adik' is the person for whom the action is performed.

  2. Anak-anak melempari pohon itu dengan batu.

    The children pelted that tree with stones.

    Word by Word: Children throw-repeatedly tree that with stone.

    Melempari makes pohon itu the target and presents pelting or repeated throwing. Dengan batu names the projectiles; the sentence does not specify an exact number of stones.

  3. Ibu memasukkan kunci ke dalam tas.

    Mother put the key into the bag.

    Word by Word: Mother cause-to-enter key to inside bag.

    Here, -kan is used because the 'key' (the thing being moved) is the direct object.

  4. Pencuri itu memasuki rumah lewat jendela.

    The thief entered the house through the window.

    Word by Word: Thief that enter-at house through window.

    Here, -i is used because the 'house' (the location being entered) is the direct object.

  5. Dia mengirimi adiknya uang setiap bulan.

    He sends his younger sibling money every month.

    Word by Word: He send-to younger-sibling-his money every month.

    The suffix -i is used because the 'sibling' (the recipient) follows the verb directly.

  6. Saya mengirimkan uang itu kepada adik saya.

    I sent that money to my younger sibling.

    Word by Word: I send-theme money that to younger-sibling I.

    The suffix -kan is used because the 'money' (the theme) follows the verb directly.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding ke dalam before the direct-object location in the memasuki model.

    Kami memasuki ke dalam ruangan.
    Kami memasuki ruangan.

    Memasuki takes ruangan directly as its object in this pattern. Use memasuki ruangan or the separate intransitive model masuk ke dalam ruangan. This does not ban every prepositional phrase after every -i verb.

  • Using the wrong object for the -i suffix.

    Saya mengirimi surat.
    Saya mengirimkan surat.

    When surat is the item being sent, use mengirim surat or mengirimkan surat. Mengirimi normally makes the recipient its object in this transfer contrast; -kan is a clear option, not the only possible verb form.

Words in This Pattern

-kan-i