perlu di-

Necessary or Recommended Passive Action

Level 5

The pattern perlu di- translates to "needs to be [verb-ed]." It is a passive construction used to suggest that an action is advisable or required for a specific goal.

How It Works

The perlu di- pattern is a versatile tool in Indonesian for making recommendations or stating requirements.

1. Structure and Formation
It is formed by placing perlu before a transitive verb that has the di- prefix. If the verb requires suffixes like -kan or -i to be transitive, these must be retained (e.g., perlu diperhatikan).

2. Nuance vs. Obligation
While harus di- implies a strict, mandatory obligation ("must be done"), perlu di- is often softer. It suggests that the action is a logical necessity or a beneficial recommendation ("needs to be done").

3. Expressing the Actor
The di- model commonly has a noun actor after the verb, such as oleh guru, or leaves the actor unexpressed. With personal pronouns, the usual standard alternative is the object voice (e.g., perlu saya baca) with the actor directly before a verb without meN- or di-. This is a useful model, not an absolute ban on di- with pronoun actors in all usage.

4. Negation
To negate this pattern, use tidak before perlu. Note the difference in meaning:

  • Tidak perlu dilakukan: It does not need to be done. This negates necessity; permission or prohibition depends on other information.
  • Jangan dilakukan: It must not be done (prohibited).

5. Register and Usage

  • Formal/Academic: It is very common in reports and news because it allows the writer to remain impersonal.
  • Daily Life: It is used to discuss tasks or give advice with the force and politeness shaped by context.

Examples (4)

  1. Hal ini perlu diperhatikan dengan saksama.

    This matter needs to be paid attention to carefully.

    Word by Word: Thing this need be-paid-attention-to with careful.

    Uses the verb 'perhatikan' with the 'di-' prefix to show a recommendation for careful attention.

  2. Data tersebut perlu dikaji ulang sebelum dipublikasikan.

    That data needs to be re-examined before being published.

    Word by Word: Data that need be-examined again before be-published.

    A common formal usage in research or reporting contexts.

  3. Masalah ini tidak perlu dibesar-besarkan.

    This problem does not need to be exaggerated.

    Word by Word: Problem this not need be-enlarged-enlarged.

    Shows the negative form 'tidak perlu di-' to suggest an action is unnecessary.

  4. Pintu ini perlu dikunci setiap malam.

    This door needs to be locked every night.

    Word by Word: Door this need be-locked every night.

    A practical everyday instruction using the passive voice.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping di- in the pronoun-before-verb object-voice model.

    Buku itu perlu saya dibaca.
    Buku itu perlu saya baca.

    In this intended object-voice model, saya directly precedes baca without meN- or di-. Buku itu perlu dibaca oleh saya has a different di- structure and is not being rejected merely for its pronoun actor.

  • Inserting the actor between 'perlu' and the 'di-' verb.

    Masalah ini perlu guru dijelaskan.
    Masalah ini perlu dijelaskan oleh guru.

    For the intended di- passive, put the actor after the verb: perlu dijelaskan oleh guru. A pronoun-before-verb object-voice pattern uses a verb without di-; do not combine the two structures.

  • Writing 'di-' as a separate word.

    Laporan itu perlu di tulis.
    Laporan itu perlu ditulis.

    The passive marker 'di-' is a prefix and must be attached to the verb. Only the preposition di (indicating location) is written separately.

How It Connects

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

perlu di-Level 5Necessary or Recommended Passive Action

Learn This First

To understand 'perlu di-', you need to combine the concept of necessity ('perlu') with the passive voice ('di-'). This allows you to say that something 'needs to be done' without specifying who should do it.

Words in This Pattern

perludi-