menyuruh + Verb

Directive Causative

Level 4

The pattern menyuruh + [person] + [verb] is the standard way to say 'to tell/order someone to do something' in Indonesian.

How It Works

The verb menyuruh comes from the root suruh (order/instruction). When the meN- prefix is added, the initial 's' is elided, resulting in menyuruh.

Sentence Structure:
The typical structure is: [Subject] + menyuruh + [Object/Person] + [Verb].

Key characteristics include:

  • Presence of Object: The full model names the person being instructed. If the person is not recoverable from context, saya menyuruh pergi leaves essential information unclear; a contextual omission is not evidence that the verb has no instructed participant.
  • Optional Linker: The word untuk (to) is often used before the second verb to clarify the instruction, and it can be omitted in the direct-complement model, including standard prose.
  • Register: It is standard in writing and conversation. It reports an instruction and can sound forceful when used to frame a request; appropriateness depends on the situation rather than a fixed social rank rule.
  • Lexical Causative: Unlike many other Indonesian verbs that require the -kan suffix to become causative, menyuruh is inherently causative in its root form.

Request Versus Report: Saya menyuruh Bapak datang ke rapat can report an instruction. Saya meminta Bapak untuk datang ke rapat presents a request. The first is not automatically ungrammatical because Bapak names a respected person; word choice should reflect the speech act and relationship.

Examples (4)

  1. Ibu menyuruh adik membersihkan kamarnya.

    Mom told my younger sibling to clean their room.

    Word by Word: Mother tell younger-sibling clean his/her room.

    A classic example of a parent giving an instruction to a child using the standard S-V-O-V pattern.

  2. Guru menyuruh kami duduk tenang.

    The teacher ordered us to sit quietly.

    Word by Word: Teacher tell us sit quiet.

    Here, 'menyuruh' is used by an authority figure (teacher) to a group (students).

  3. Dia menyuruh saya untuk menjemput tamu di bandara.

    He/she instructed me to pick up the guest at the airport.

    Word by Word: He/she tell me to pick-up guest at airport.

    This example uses 'untuk' as a linker, which is common in slightly longer or more formal instructions.

  4. Bos menyuruh saya bekerja lembur hari ini.

    The boss told me to work overtime today.

    Word by Word: Boss tell me work overtime day this.

    In a workplace context, 'menyuruh' indicates a direct instruction from a superior.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the person being ordered (the object).

    Saya menyuruh pergi.
    Saya menyuruh dia pergi.

    In an out-of-context full sentence, name who receives the instruction: Saya menyuruh dia pergi. A recoverable person can be left implicit in discourse, so this is guidance for a clear full model rather than a universal ban on omission.

  • Using 'menyuruh' for inanimate causes (like 'the rain made me sad').

    Film itu menyuruh saya menangis.
    Film itu membuat saya menangis.

    For the ordinary meaning that a film caused crying, use Film itu membuat saya menangis. Menyuruh instead expresses an instruction. A film could metaphorically instruct or contain a spoken instruction, so the issue is the intended causal meaning, not a universal ban on an inanimate grammatical subject.

How It Connects

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

menyuruh + VerbLevel 4Directive Causative

Learn This First

To understand 'menyuruh + verb', learners need to recognize that 'menyuruh' is an active transitive verb formed from the root 'suruh' (to order/command). This requires knowledge of the 'meN-' prefix system, specifically how it interacts with roots starting with 's'. Structurally, it follows the basic SVO order where the object of 'menyuruh' acts as the logical subject of the subsequent verb.

Words in This Pattern

menyuruh