pertanggungjawaban

Accountability Nominalization

Level 5

Pertanggungjawaban is a Level 5 (Advanced) formal noun. It transforms the concept of 'responsibility' (the duty) into 'accountability' (the obligation to justify or report on that duty).

How It Works

In formal Malay, morphology plays a critical role in distinguishing between abstract concepts. Pertanggungjawaban is a prime example of this:

  • Morphological Structure: It uses the circumfix peR-...-an. When this is applied to the compound root tanggung jawab, the two words must be joined into a single word: pertanggungjawaban.
  • Register: This term is strictly formal. You will encounter it in the technical register of law, government reports, and corporate governance. It is rarely used in casual conversation.
  • Functional Nuance: It often refers to a specific 'accountability report' (laporan pertanggungjawaban) or the 'rendering of an account' for funds or actions.
  • Distinction from 'Tanggungjawab': If you have a tanggungjawab, you have a task to do. If you are called for pertanggungjawaban, you are being asked to explain how you performed that task.

Examples (3)

  1. Laporan pertanggungjawaban itu perlu diserahkan sebelum akhir bulan.

    The accountability report must be submitted before the end of the month.

    Word by Word: Report accountability that need [to be] submitted before end month.

    In this context, 'pertanggungjawaban' refers to the formal document justifying actions or spending.

  2. Setiap menteri memikul pertanggungjawaban yang besar terhadap rakyat.

    Every minister bears a great accountability toward the people.

    Word by Word: Every minister bears accountability which big toward people.

    Here, it describes the abstract state of being answerable to a higher authority (the public).

  3. Pihak pengurusan diminta memberikan pertanggungjawaban atas kerugian syarikat.

    The management was asked to provide an accounting for the company's losses.

    Word by Word: Side management [was] asked [to] give accountability over loss company.

    This demonstrates the use of the term in a corporate environment regarding financial or operational results.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing the word as two separate words.

    pertanggung jawaban
    pertanggungjawaban

    In Standard Malay, when a compound word (tanggung jawab) receives a circumfix (peR-...-an), the components must be merged into a single word.

  • Confusing it with the person in charge (agent).

    Dia adalah pertanggungjawaban projek ini.
    Dia adalah penanggungjawab projek ini.

    Pertanggungjawaban is the abstract concept of accountability. To refer to the person responsible, use 'penanggungjawab' (peN- agent noun).

How It Connects

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

pertanggungjawabanLevel 5Accountability Nominalization

Learn This First

Pertanggungjawaban is a complex nominalization of the compound root 'tanggungjawab'. To understand it, learners need to be familiar with how the per-...-an circumfix creates abstract or institutional nouns, particularly those derived from complex verbal forms.

Words in This Pattern

pertanggungjawabantanggungjawab