me-

The Me- Form of MeN-

Level 2

The me- prefix is the simplest form of the meN- prefix. It is used to form active verbs without changing or dropping any letters from the root word.

How It Works

In Indonesian, the meN- prefix changes its form (allomorph) based on the first letter of the root word. The me- variant is used when the root word remains completely intact without any nasal assimilation or consonant dropping.

1. When to use me-
You must use this form when the root starts with:

  • Liquids: l, r (e.g., lihat → melihat, rokok → merokok)
  • Nasals: m, n, ny, ng (e.g., masak → memasak, nyanyi → menyanyi)
  • Semivowels: w, y (e.g., wakil → mewakili)

2. Active Voice and Transitivity
Verbs with me- are in the active voice, meaning the subject performs the action. While many are transitive (taking an object), some common intransitive verbs like melamun (to daydream) or merokok (to smoke) also use this prefix.

3. Formal vs. Informal Register
In formal active clauses, preserve the prefix on verbs whose standard form requires it, such as melihat. In casual conversation, you may hear lihat instead. This does not mean every formal verb needs me-: makan is itself a standard basic verb, and imperatives and object voice have their own rules.

Examples (5)

  1. Dia sedang melihat pemandangan itu.

    He/She is looking at that view.

    Word by Word: He/She [progressive marker] look at view that.

    The root 'lihat' starts with 'l', so the prefix 'me-' is added without any changes to the root.

  2. Ibu memasak nasi di dapur.

    Mother is cooking rice in the kitchen.

    Word by Word: Mother cook rice at kitchen.

    The root 'masak' starts with 'm'. Even though the root already starts with a nasal, the 'me-' prefix is still required in formal Indonesian.

  3. Mereka merasa senang hari ini.

    They feel happy today.

    Word by Word: They feel happy day this.

    The root 'rasa' starts with 'r', taking the 'me-' allomorph to form the active verb 'merasa'.

  4. Ayah sedang merokok di luar.

    Father is smoking outside.

    Word by Word: Father [progressive marker] smoke at outside.

    The root 'rokok' starts with 'r'. This is an example of an intransitive verb using the 'me-' prefix where the root remains intact.

  5. Pemerintah mewakili rakyat.

    The government represents the people.

    Word by Word: Government represent people.

    The root 'wakil' starts with 'w', so it uses the 'me-' prefix.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping the first letter of the root (over-mutation).

    Saya meihat dia.
    Saya melihat dia.

    Learners often confuse this with roots starting with p, t, k, or s (which do drop). Roots starting with l, r, m, n, w, and y never drop their first letter.

  • Using me- for monosyllabic (one-syllable) roots.

    Dia melap meja.
    Dia mengelap meja.

    Even if a root starts with 'l', if it is only one syllable (like 'lap'), it must use the menge- allomorph instead of 'me-'.

  • Thinking the prefix is unnecessary for roots already starting with 'm' or 'n'.

    Ibu masak nasi.
    Ibu memasak nasi.

    While common in speech, in formal writing, you must add the 'me-' prefix even if the root already starts with a nasal sound like 'm' in 'masak'.

How It Connects

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

me-Level 2The Me- Form of MeN-

Learn This First

To understand the me- allomorph, you must first be familiar with the general meN- prefix used for active transitive verbs. The me- form is a specific variation that occurs when the root word begins with certain consonants like l, m, n, r, w, or y.

Words in This Pattern

meng-