meN-...-i
Locative MeN-...-i
The meN-...-i suffix pattern (locative applicative) focuses an action on a specific place or target. It allows you to say you are 'visiting a place' or 'writing on a surface' without needing a separate preposition like ke or di.
How It Works
The meN-...-i pattern is a formal way to focus on the target of an action. It is technically known as a locative applicative.
1. Morphological Rules
The prefix meN- follows nasalization rules. The following is a basic summary; initial consonant clusters and established loanwords require their own forms:
- me- before l, m, n, r, w, y.
- mem- before b, p (p drops).
- men- before c, d, j, t (t drops).
- meng- before vowels, g, h, k (k drops).
- meny- before s (s drops).
2. Locative Function
The primary role is to promote a location to a direct object. For example, instead of datang ke kantor (come to the office), you use mendatangi kantor (approach/visit the office). The office is no longer just a destination; it is the direct participant.
3. Nuance of Intensity or Repetition
Often, the -i suffix suggests the action happens repeatedly or covers a surface. For example, menulisi buku implies writing all over the book, whereas menulis buku simply means writing a book.
4. Register
This form is very common in formal Indonesian (news, books, speeches). In casual conversation, speakers often prefer the base verb followed by a preposition like di or ke.
Examples (4)
- Polisi mendatangi rumah tersangka.
The police went to the suspect's house.
Word by Word: Police [active]-come-[locative] house suspect.
Here, 'mendatangi' makes 'rumah' (house) the direct object. Without the suffix, you would say 'datang ke rumah'.
- Adik menulisi meja dengan spidol.
Little sibling wrote all over the table with a marker.
Word by Word: Younger-sibling [active]-write-[locative] table with marker.
The suffix -i indicates the action is directed onto the surface of the table, often repeatedly.
- Ibu menggarami sup itu.
Mother is salting the soup.
Word by Word: Mother [active]-salt-[locative] soup that.
When attached to a noun like 'garam' (salt), the -i suffix means to apply that noun to the object (the soup).
- Mereka memasuki ruangan dengan tenang.
They entered the room quietly.
Word by Word: They [active]-enter-[locative] room with quiet.
The verb 'memasuki' focuses on the room as the target being entered.
Common Mistakes
Using a preposition after the -i suffix.
Dia mendatangi ke kantor.Dia mendatangi kantor.Mendatangi takes kantor as its direct object, so do not insert ke between this verb and that object. This does not ban all prepositional phrases after every -i verb; phrases can still express other roles, as dengan spidol does in an example above.
Confusing -i (locative) with -kan (causative).
Saya memasukkan ruangan.Saya memasuki ruangan.'Memasuki' means you enter the room. 'Memasukkan' means you put something else into the room. Using the wrong suffix changes the meaning entirely.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the locative meN-...-i pattern, you must first be comfortable with the active meN- prefix and the basic -i suffix. This pattern specifically uses these tools to turn a location (which would normally follow a preposition like 'di') into the direct object of a verb.
Related Patterns
- meN-Active Transitive Verbs with MeN-
The meN- prefix is the base active marker used before adding the -i suffix.
Level 2 - meN-...-kanCausative MeN-...-kan
The -kan suffix is the primary alternative to -i, focusing on moving an object rather than a location.
Level 3 - -kan / -iChoosing -kan or -i
This pattern explains how to choose between these two suffixes based on what you want to emphasize.
Level 3 - di-...-iPassive Locative or Target Form
This is the passive counterpart to the meN-...-i pattern.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice meN-...-i in Bubblegum
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