Consonant retention in loans

Level 3

In standard Indonesian, the meN- prefix usually causes initial p, t, k, and s to disappear when followed by a vowel. However, there are several important exceptions where the consonant is retained, particularly with loanwords, consonant clusters, monosyllabic roots, and specific prefixes.

How It Works

The 'KPST' rule states that initial k, p, s, and t are dropped and replaced by a specific nasal sound (k → ng, p → m, s → ny, t → n) when the meN- prefix is added. However, this rule only applies if the initial consonant is followed by a vowel, and there are several notable exceptions.

1. Consonant Clusters
If a word starts with a consonant cluster (like pr- or kr-), the second letter is a consonant, not a vowel. Therefore, the initial letter is retained.

  • Protes becomes memprotes
  • Kristal becomes mengkristal

Note: While meN- retains the consonant in clusters, the noun-forming prefix peN- actually drops it for clusters starting with 'p' (e.g., pemrotes), but retains it for others (e.g., pengkristalan).

2. Loanwords and Real-World Usage
Prescriptively, if a loanword starts with K, P, S, or T followed by a vowel, it MUST follow the standard KPST rule once fully assimilated (e.g., sukses formally becomes menyukseskan, konsumsi becomes mengonsumsi). However, in real-world usage, you may encounter nonstandard retained-consonant forms such as mensukseskan or mengkonsumsi.

3. The per- Prefix
When meN- attaches to the secondary prefix per-, the 'p' is NEVER dropped. Learners frequently mistake per- for the first syllable of a base word.

  • Perhatikan becomes memperhatikan
  • Perbesar becomes memperbesar

4. Monosyllabic Roots
For roots consisting of only one syllable, the initial consonant is never dropped. Instead, they take the special prefix menge-.

  • Tes (test) becomes mengetes
  • Pel (mop) becomes mengepel

5. Semantic Differentiation & Special Exceptions
Sometimes, a consonant is retained to distinguish a technical meaning from a common one.

  • Mengkaji: To research/analyze
  • Mengaji: To recite the Quran

Additionally, the word punya is a mandatory, universally accepted exception: it always becomes mempunyai, never memunyai.

Examples (6)

  1. Petugas itu sedang <grammar expression="meN- loanword consonant retention">mengetes</grammar> sistem baru.

    The officer is testing the new system.

    Word by Word: Officer that [progressive] [active]-test system new.

    The root 'tes' (test) is monosyllabic and starts with a KPST consonant. One-syllable roots use 'menge-' and retain that initial consonant.

  2. Mahasiswa itu sedang <grammar expression="meN- loanword consonant retention">memprotes</grammar> kebijakan baru.

    That student is protesting the new policy.

    Word by Word: Student that [active]-protest policy new.

    The root 'protes' starts with a cluster (pr-), so the 'p' is retained instead of changing to 'm'.

  3. Kita harus <grammar expression="meN- loanword consonant retention">mensyukuri</grammar> apa yang kita miliki.

    We must be grateful for what we have.

    Word by Word: We must [active]-grateful what that we have.

    The root 'syukur' starts with the digraph 'sy-'. Digraphs (two letters for one sound) follow the retention rule.

  4. Pemerintah perlu <grammar expression="meN- loanword consonant retention">mengkaji</grammar> ulang rencana tersebut.

    The government needs to re-examine (research) that plan.

    Word by Word: Government need [active]-research again plan that.

    In formal contexts, 'mengkaji' (retaining 'k') is used for 'to research' to distinguish it from 'mengaji' (reciting scripture).

  5. Cairan itu mulai <grammar expression="meN- loanword consonant retention">mengkristal</grammar> di dalam tabung.

    The liquid is starting to crystallize inside the tube.

    Word by Word: Liquid that start [active]-crystal in inside tube.

    The root 'kristal' starts with a consonant cluster (kr-). According to standard rules, the initial 'k' is retained when followed by another consonant.

  6. Ibu <grammar expression="meN- loanword consonant retention">mengepel</grammar> lantai setiap pagi.

    Mother mops the floor every morning.

    Word by Word: Mother [active]-mop floor every morning.

    The root 'pel' (mop) is a single syllable, so it uses 'menge-' and retains the 'p'.

Common Mistakes

  • Applying nasalization to consonant clusters (Over-nasalization).

    Dia sedang memrotes di depan kantor.
    Dia sedang memprotes di depan kantor.

    Because 'protes' starts with 'pr', the 'p' must stay. 'Memrotes' is considered incorrect in standard Indonesian.

  • Confusing 'mempunyai' with standard mutation rules.

    Saya memunyai dua buku.
    Saya mempunyai dua buku.

    Although 'punya' looks like a native word that should become 'memunyai', the standard formal form is 'mempunyai' (retaining the 'p').

How It Connects

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

Consonant retention in loansLevel 3

Learn This First

To understand why certain loanwords retain their initial consonants (p, t, k, s) when prefixed with meN-, a learner must first be familiar with the standard meN- prefixation rules and the typical nasalization/replacement process that occurs with these specific consonants in native Indonesian roots.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

meng-