per-...-an (peristiwa)
Events and Processes with Per-...-an
The per-...-an circumfix creates formal nouns that describe an event (like a meeting), a result (like a question), a location (like a stop), or a collective group (like equipment).
How It Works
The per-...-an circumfix is a vital tool for formal Indonesian. It is primarily used to form the nominal counterparts of ber- verbs. Unlike peN-...-an, often associated with meN- verbs, per-...-an commonly relates to ber- verbs. Both can express processes or results; the derived word determines its established meanings.
It functions in several main ways:
- Events and Occurrences: Turns an action into a specific event. E.g., pertemuan (a meeting) from bertemu.
- Results and Causative Links: The outcome of an action or a noun related to a memper- verb, including memper-...-kan forms. E.g., pertanyaan (a question) from bertanya, or perbaikan (repair) from memperbaiki.
- Place or Location: The site where an action occurs. E.g., perhentian (a stop) from berhenti.
- Domains and Industries: Abstract fields of activity or systems. E.g., perbankan (banking) or perhotelan (the hotel industry).
- Collective Nouns: A collection of items. E.g., peralatan (equipment/set of tools) from alat.
Morphological Rules:
1. per-: The standard form (e.g., pertanyaan).
2. pe-: Seen before root-initial r and in established forms such as pekerjaan (job): perasaan = pe- + rasa + -an. The presence of er alone does not predict the form: pergerakan retains per-.
3. pel-: An irregular form used only for pelajaran (lesson) from the root ajar.
Examples (6)
- Pertemuan itu akan diadakan di kantor pusat.
That meeting will be held at the head office.
Word by Word: Meeting that will be-held at office center.
Pertemuan (meeting) is an event noun derived from the root 'temu', corresponding to the verb 'bertemu'.
- Bus itu berhenti di perhentian terakhir.
The bus stopped at the last stop.
Word by Word: Bus that stop at stop last.
Perhentian (stop/stopping place) illustrates the 'location' function of this circumfix, derived from 'berhenti'.
- Kita harus menyiapkan peralatan berkemah.
We must prepare the camping equipment.
Word by Word: We must prepare equipment camping.
Peralatan (equipment) is a collective noun referring to a set of tools (alat).
- Perjalanan ini sangat melelahkan.
This journey is very tiring.
Word by Word: Journey this very tiring.
Perjalanan (journey) describes the event or occurrence of traveling, derived from 'berjalan'.
- Sektor perbankan Indonesia terus berkembang.
The Indonesian banking sector continues to grow.
Word by Word: Sector banking Indonesia continue grow.
Perbankan refers to the institutional domain or result of banking affairs.
- Saya punya satu pertanyaan untuk Anda.
I have one question for you.
Word by Word: I have one question for you.
Pertanyaan (question) is the result of the act of asking (bertanya).
Common Mistakes
Applying nasalization rules (like peN-) to per-...-an.
Saya punya penanyaan.Saya punya pertanyaan.Learners often confuse 'per-' with 'peN-'. 'Per-' does not change the initial 't' of 'tanya' into 'n'.
Choosing a different derived noun without checking the intended meaning.
Perkembangan ekonomi itu penting.Pengembangan ekonomi itu penting.Perkembangan ekonomi refers to economic growth or developments; pengembangan ekonomi refers to developing the economy. Both sentences can be grammatical. Choose the established noun matching whether you mean growth or an activity of development.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The per-...-an circumfix creates nouns that describe events, processes, or institutional domains. To understand this, learners should be familiar with the ber- verb prefix, as these nouns often function as the nominalized form of those activities. It is also helpful to understand other per-...-an functions and how they contrast with peN-...-an process nouns.
- ber-Basic Activity Verbs with Ber-
The per-...-an circumfix for event nouns is morphologically related to ber- verbs; many event nouns are derived from the same roots that form ber- verbs (e.g., berunding to perundingan).
Level 2 - per-...-anPer-...-an Nouns
Understanding the basic per-...-an circumfix used for locations or domains provides the morphological foundation for its use in naming specific events or processes.
Level 3 - peN-...-anProcess Nouns with PeN-...-an
Learners need to distinguish between per-...-an (often related to ber- verbs) and peN-...-an (related to meN- verbs) to correctly identify the type of process or event being described.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- ke-...-an (keadaan)Abstract States with Ke-...-an
Both form abstract nouns, but ke-...-an typically derives from adjectives to describe states (e.g., health), whereas per-...-an derives from actions or nouns.
Level 3 - belajarIrregular Ber- Form Belajar
The noun 'pelajaran' (lesson) is the unique nominal form of the irregular verb 'belajar'.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice per-...-an (peristiwa) in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Indonesian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
