meN-...-kan (pemindahan)
Transfer with MeN-...-kan
The meN-...-kan pattern for transfer verbs highlights the thing being moved (the theme). It is the standard formal way to describe sending, bringing, or placing objects.
How It Works
The meN-...-kan pattern is a key feature of intermediate Indonesian grammar. While the basic meN- prefix creates active transitive verbs, adding the -kan suffix to verbs of motion or transfer provides specific nuances:
- Theme Focus: It emphasizes the object that is changing location. For example, in mengirimkan surat (sending a letter), the focus is on the letter being transferred.
- Directional Transfer: It often implies the object is being moved toward a destination or recipient, usually followed by prepositions like ke (to/into) or kepada/untuk (to/for).
- Formal Register: While casual speech often drops the suffix or uses the colloquial -in, choose the standard form appropriate to the verb and construction in edited writing. Some verbs allow both forms, such as mengirim surat and mengirimkan surat; a formal register alone does not require -kan everywhere.
- Benefactive Role: Sometimes, it indicates the action is done for someone else (e.g., membawakan - to bring something for someone).
Morphologically, the meN- prefix follows standard nasalization rules (e.g., kirim becomes mengirimkan), while the -kan suffix remains stable regardless of the root.
Examples (5)
- Dia mengirimkan surat itu kepada ibunya.
He sent the letter to his mother.
Word by Word: He [active]-send-[kan] letter that to mother-his.
Here, 'mengirimkan' focuses on the 'surat' (letter) as the object being transferred to the recipient.
- Tolong masukkan buku ini ke dalam tas.
Please put this book into the bag.
Word by Word: Please [enter]-kan book this to inside bag.
The root 'masuk' (to enter) becomes transitive with '-kan', focusing on the book being placed inside.
- Sekretaris itu menyampaikan pesan dari direktur.
The secretary conveyed the message from the director.
Word by Word: Secretary that [active]-reach-[kan] message from director.
The verb 'menyampaikan' (to convey/deliver) uses '-kan' to show the transfer of information (the message).
- Saya membawakan ayah secangkir kopi.
I brought my father a cup of coffee.
Word by Word: I [active]-bring-[kan] father a-cup coffee.
This demonstrates the benefactive use, where the coffee is brought for the father.
- Ibu meletakkan kunci di atas meja.
Mother placed the keys on the table.
Word by Word: Mother [active]-lay-[kan] key at top table.
The root 'letak' (lay/place) uses '-kan' to focus on the keys being positioned.
Common Mistakes
Confusing -kan (object focus) with -i (location focus).
Dia melempari batu ke sungai.Dia melemparkan batu ke sungai.With the transferred stone as the object, use melemparkan batu ke sungai. Melempari instead takes the target as its object, as in melempari pohon itu dengan batu (pelting that tree with stones). In the incorrect example, batu rather than the river occupies that object position.
Confusing the two ways of expressing a beneficiary.
Saya membelikan buku untuk adik.Saya membelikan adik buku.Both sentences are grammatical. Membelikan adik buku makes the recipient the direct object, while membelikan buku untuk adik uses a following untuk phrase. Do not label the latter redundant merely because the verb has -kan.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'meN-...-kan transfer', you first need to be comfortable with the basic active verb prefix 'meN-' and the general function of the '-kan' suffix. This specific pattern focuses on verbs of motion or placement (like 'kirim' to send) where '-kan' is used to emphasize the item being transferred as the direct object.
Related Patterns
- meN-...-kanCausative MeN-...-kan
While transfer verbs focus on movement, the causative version of this pattern focuses on making a state happen (e.g., cleaning).
Level 3 - meN-...-kan (benefaktif)Benefactive MeN-...-kan
This is a specific sub-function of the -kan suffix where the transfer is performed for someone else's benefit.
Level 3 - meN-...-iLocative MeN-...-i
This is the direct counterpart to transfer -kan; while -kan focuses on the object moved, -i focuses on the destination or target.
Level 3 - -kan / -iChoosing -kan or -i
This pattern explains the conceptual choice between focusing on the 'thing' (-kan) versus the 'place' (-i).
Level 3 - -inColloquial -in
Colloquial Jakarta-influenced speech can use -in where standard forms use -kan; the choice depends on the word and construction.
Level 4 - di-...-kanPassive Causative or Benefactive
This is the passive equivalent of the meN-...-kan pattern, used when the object being moved is the subject of the sentence.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice meN-...-kan (pemindahan) in Bubblegum
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