memper-...-i

Complex Memper-...-i Verbs

Level 4

Memper-...-i occurs in a restricted group of standard transitive verbs, including memperbaiki, memperbarui and mempersenjatai. It cannot be applied freely to every root, and these verbs also occur in ordinary speech.

How It Works

The memper-...-i circumfix is a complex morphological structure in Indonesian. Unlike the highly productive meN-...-kan or meN-...-i patterns, this circumfix is lexically restricted, meaning it is restricted to established words rather than freely applying to every root. Learn these verbs as vocabulary items; do not coin a new memper-...-i form by applying the pattern mechanically.

1. Usage with Adjectives
When attached to specific adjectives, it implies improving the state of an object or bringing it up to a standard. Common examples include:

  • memperbaiki (root: baik): To make better, to fix, or to repair.
  • memperbarui (root: baru): To make new, to update, or to renew. The form memperbaharui is frequently encountered, including in public writing, but it is nonstandard; use KBBI's memperbarui in edited Indonesian.
  • memperlengkapi (root: lengkap): To equip or provide with necessary items. Melengkapi can also mean to complete or equip; the meanings overlap, so this is not a fixed equip-versus-complete division.

Note that for most other adjectives, you only use the prefix memper- without the -i suffix (e.g., memperbesar, not memperbesari).

2. Usage with Nouns
When attached to specific nouns, it often means to equip the object with that noun or apply the noun to the object:

  • mempersenjatai (root: senjata): To arm (equip with weapons).

3. Usage with Verbs (Mental States)
A key example is memperingati (root: ingat), which means to commemorate or celebrate a specific date or event. Note that this is distinct from memperingatkan, which means 'to remind' (someone of something) or 'to warn'.

4. The Case of 'mempelajari'
The verb mempelajari (to study or learn about something) is a unique member of this group. The root is ajar. The special pel- form occurs with ajar rather than ordinary per-. Compare the special form in belajar.

5. Passive and Object Voice
Because verbs with memper-...-i are transitive, they are frequently used in passive constructions. The standard passive replaces mem- with di- (e.g., diperbaiki, diperbarui). For object voice constructions with pronouns (like saya or kamu), the base form per-...-i is used. For example: Buku itu harus saya pelajari (I must study that book).

6. Imperatives and Requests
When forming commands or polite requests with tolong, Standard Indonesian requires dropping the meN- prefix. Therefore, "Tolong perbaiki ini" (Please fix this) is the strictly correct formal imperative form, not a casual omission. In everyday conversation, speakers might bypass these complex verbs entirely in favor of simpler alternatives, such as using benerin or betulin instead of memperbaiki, or using belajar with the appropriate complement instead of mempelajari. The two do not take identical complements in every construction.

7. The False Friend: 'mempercayai'
Learners often mistake mempercayai (to trust or believe in) as a memper-...-i verb. However, its root is actually percaya (to believe). It is formed using the standard meN-...-i pattern (mem- + percaya + -i), not the memper-...-i circumfix. This means the per- is part of the root and is never dropped.

Examples (5)

  1. Teknisi itu sedang memperbaiki komputer saya yang rusak.

    The technician is fixing my broken computer.

    Word by Word: Technician that [progressive] fix computer my which broken.

    Here, 'memperbaiki' (from 'baik') means to return the computer to a 'good' state.

  2. Kita harus memperbarui paspor sebelum pergi ke luar negeri.

    We must renew our passports before going abroad.

    Word by Word: We must renew passport before go to outside country.

    In this context, 'memperbarui' (from 'baru') means to make the passport 'new' or valid again.

  3. Mahasiswa itu sedang mempelajari sejarah Indonesia.

    That student is studying Indonesian history.

    Word by Word: Student that [progressive] study history Indonesia.

    Mempelajari takes the subject being studied as its object. It is standard and can also occur in ordinary conversation; the verb alone does not prove unusually deep study.

  4. Masyarakat berkumpul untuk memperingati Hari Kemerdekaan.

    The community gathered to commemorate Independence Day.

    Word by Word: Community gather for commemorate Day Independence.

    'Memperingati' (from 'ingat') means to commemorate or celebrate an event or anniversary.

  5. Pemerintah sedang mempersenjatai pasukan penjaga perbatasan.

    The government is arming the border guard forces.

    Word by Word: Government [progressive] arm troop guard border.

    'Mempersenjatai' (from 'senjata') means to provide or equip someone with weapons.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding the -i suffix to adjectives that don't support it.

    Perusahaan itu ingin memperbesari kantor mereka.
    Perusahaan itu ingin memperbesar kantor mereka.

    For besar, the standard causative form in this example is memperbesar, without -i. Restricted established forms such as memperbaiki and memperbarui do not authorize attaching -i to every adjective.

  • Omitting the -i suffix for roots that require it.

    Saya harus memperbaik mobil ini.
    Saya harus memperbaiki mobil ini.

    For the root 'baik', the circumfix 'memper-...-i' is mandatory in standard Indonesian to mean 'to fix'. 'Memperbaik' is grammatically incomplete.

  • Treating 'mempercayai' as a 'memper-...-i' verb and dropping 'per-' in object voice.

    Dia adalah teman yang bisa saya cayai.
    Dia adalah teman yang bisa saya percayai.

    The verb 'mempercayai' (to trust) is a false friend. Its root is 'percaya', not 'caya'. Because it uses the standard 'meN-...-i' pattern rather than the 'memper-...-i' circumfix, the 'per-' is part of the root word and must not be dropped in object voice constructions.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

memper-...-iLevel 4Complex Memper-...-i Verbs

Learn This First

The memper-...-i circumfix is a complex verbal derivation. To understand it, learners must first be familiar with the causative memper- prefix and the locative/repetitive functions of the -i suffix, as this pattern combines these two morphological elements for a specific set of verbs.

Words in This Pattern

memper--i