-ku

First-person Suffix -ku

Level 1

The suffix -ku is a short, attached form of aku (I/me). It is used to say 'my' (possession) or 'me' (object) in informal or intimate settings.

How It Works

The first-person marker -ku is a clitic (a bound form) of the pronoun aku. It functions as an enclitic (attached to the end) or a proclitic (attached to the front). According to standard spelling rules (EYD), clitics must be written as one continuous word with their host, with no spaces. It appears in three main ways:

1. Possession (My): As an enclitic attached to a noun, like bukuku (my book). When attaching -ku to a capitalized acronym or abbreviation, a hyphen is required (e.g., KTP-ku, SIM-ku).
2. Object (Me): As an enclitic attached to a verb or specific prepositions (untukku, dariku, padaku). Note that it cannot attach to di or ke.
3. Passive Actor (I): As a proclitic prefix ku- in object voice constructions, such as buku itu kubeli (I bought that book). In this form, the prefix must be attached directly to the verb stem (which can include suffixes like -kan or -i, as in kukembalikan); auxiliary words like sudah must be placed before the prefix (e.g., sudah kubeli). Important rules for ku-: First, the active meN- prefix must be dropped (use kubeli, never kumembeli). Second, in standard formal prose, ku- is strictly for transitive verbs in the object voice. However, in literary, poetic, and creative registers, it is frequently attached to active or intransitive verbs as an active-subject prefix, a bound contraction of aku (e.g., kuberjalan, kumenangis). In modern texts and social media, an unbound-looking Ku mau makan is also common digital slang, but standard prose writes the full active subject Aku mau makan.

Register and Tone:
-ku is familiar and its appropriateness depends on age, status, relationship, and setting. With an elder, teacher, or boss in a professional exchange, prefer saya. Close relationships can cross differences in age or rank, so -ku is not automatically disrespectful in every such conversation. Also, -ku is the standard form used in religious contexts (praying to God) and formal literature or poetry.

Pronunciation Tendencies:
In some regions or informal speech (often influenced by South Sulawesi languages like Makassarese and Buginese), speakers might insert a slight glottal stop when -ku follows a vowel (sounding like buku[ʔ]ku), though this is not standard Indonesian phonology. If the root word ends in 'k', like anak, it is written with a double 'k' (anakku); the first 'k' is pronounced as an unreleased stop and the second as a released 'k' sound.

Examples (5)

  1. Ini bukuku.

    This is my book.

    Word by Word: This book-my.

    Here, -ku is attached to the noun 'buku' to show possession.

  2. Buku itu sudah kubaca.

    I have already read that book.

    Word by Word: Book that already I-read.

    In this passive construction, the prefix ku- is attached to the verb 'baca' to indicate the actor 'I'.

  3. Dia melihatku di pasar.

    He/she saw me at the market.

    Word by Word: He/she see-me at market.

    In this sentence, -ku is attached to the verb 'melihat' as the object of the action.

  4. Bunga ini untukku?

    Is this flower for me?

    Word by Word: Flower this for-me?

    The suffix -ku can attach to specific prepositions like 'untuk' (for).

  5. Ya Tuhan, dengarlah doaku.

    Oh God, please hear my prayer.

    Word by Word: Yes God, hear-please prayer-my.

    This shows the use of -ku in a formal religious context.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -ku with elders or superiors.

    Selamat pagi, ini laporanku, Pak.
    Selamat pagi, ini laporan saya, Pak.

    Laporan saya suits a respectful professional exchange with Pak. Laporanku is more familiar; its appropriateness depends on the relationship and situation, not age or rank alone. Use saya when that respectful distance is intended.

  • Placing auxiliary words between the prefix ku- and the verb.

    Buku itu ku sudah baca.
    Buku itu sudah kubaca.

    When using the prefix form ku- in object voice, nothing can come between the prefix and the verb root. Words like sudah or akan must come before the entire 'ku-verb' unit.

  • Using -ku as a standalone subject in active sentences.

    Ku makan nasi.
    Aku makan nasi.

    In standard active prose, use the full word aku. Standalone-looking Ku mau makan is widespread in texting and social media, while bound active-subject forms such as kuberjalan belong mainly to literary or creative registers. In object voice, ku- remains bound to the verb (e.g., nasi itu kumakan).

How It Connects

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

-kuLevel 1First-person Suffix -ku

Learn This First

To understand the -ku suffix, you first need to be familiar with the pronoun 'aku' from which it is derived. Additionally, you should understand the basic word order for possession in Indonesian, where the possessor follows the noun.

Words in This Pattern

-ku