patut di-

Normative Evaluation with Patut

Level 5

The pattern patut di- is used to say something 'deserves' or 'is worthy of' a specific action. It combines the adjective patut (proper/worthy) with a passive verb.

How It Works

The construction follows the formula: [Subject] + patut + [di-verb].

Key characteristics include:

  • Patient-Subject Pattern: This lesson uses a passive verb because the subject receives the action. With an actor subject, an active meN- verb is possible: Kita patut menghargai usahanya. Object voice is also possible: Usahanya patut kita hargai.
  • Moral/Logical Weight: While seharusnya expresses a general obligation ('should'), patut implies that the subject has earned or justified the action. For example, patut dipuji means the person 'deserves praise' because of their specific achievement.
  • Versatility: It is not limited to positive contexts. It can be used for negative evaluations, such as patut dicurigai (worthy of suspicion) or patut disesalkan (to be regretted).
  • Formal Register: While understood in daily life, it is most frequent in formal speeches, news reports, and legal or academic analysis.

Examples (4)

  1. Prestasi atlet muda itu patut diacungi jempol.

    The young athlete's achievement is worthy of a thumbs-up (praise).

    Word by Word: Achievement athlete young that worthy be-given-thumb.

    Here, 'patut' indicates that the achievement has earned the right to be praised.

  2. Kebijakan baru ini patut dipertanyakan efektivitasnya.

    The effectiveness of this new policy deserves to be questioned.

    Word by Word: Policy new this worthy be-questioned effectiveness-its.

    This uses 'patut' for a critical evaluation, suggesting there is a logical reason to doubt the policy.

  3. Semangat gotong royong warga patut dicontoh oleh daerah lain.

    The residents' spirit of mutual cooperation is worth being used as an example by other regions.

    Word by Word: Spirit mutual-cooperation residents worthy be-exemplified by region other.

    This highlights that the behavior is so good it serves as a proper model for others.

  4. Kejadian tersebut patut disesalkan oleh semua pihak.

    That incident is to be regretted by all parties.

    Word by Word: Incident that worthy be-regretted by all parties.

    In this context, 'patut' expresses that regret is the appropriate moral response to the event.

Common Mistakes

  • Giving the praise-receiving subject an active verb that makes it the praiser.

    Prestasi itu patut memuji.
    Prestasi itu patut dipuji.

    With prestasinya as the subject, dipuji means the achievement deserves praise; memuji would make the achievement the praiser. This choice follows the roles in this sentence, not a rule requiring di- after every patut. Patut kita puji is another patient-focused form.

  • Incorrect spacing of the 'di-' prefix.

    Hal itu patut di hargai.
    Hal itu patut dihargai.

    Learners often confuse the passive prefix 'di-' with the location preposition 'di'. When forming a passive verb, the 'di-' must be attached to the root word without a space.

How It Connects

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

patut di-Level 5Normative Evaluation with Patut

Learn This First

To understand 'patut di-', learners must first be comfortable with the basic 'di-' passive prefix, as this pattern evaluates a passive action. Additionally, they should understand how adjectives like 'patut' (appropriate/fitting) function as predicates without a copula, and how they can be combined with passive verbs to express normative judgments.

Words in This Pattern

patutdi-