membuat + Clause
Analytic Causative with Membuat
The analytic causative uses the verb membuat (to make/do) as an auxiliary to show causation. It follows the structure: Subject + membuat + Object + Result (Adjective/Verb).
How It Works
The analytic causative with membuat is a syntactic pattern where the verb acts as a bridge between a causer and a resulting state or action.
1. Sentence Structure
The pattern functions as: [Causer] + membuat + [Object] + [Predicate]. The predicate follows the object directly and does not use a full subordinate clause with bahawa. The predicate can be an adjective (describing a state) or a verb (describing an action).
2. Nuance and Usage
While Malay often uses the meN-...-kan causative (e.g., menyedihkan - to make sad), the membuat construction is a common way to translate the English 'make someone/something [adjective]'. However, when human agency or commands are involved, Malay speakers prefer more specific verbs like menyuruh (to tell/order) or memaksa (to force) rather than a literal translation of 'make'.
3. Register
In formal writing and standard speech, the full prefix mem- is used. In academic or highly formal contexts, menyebabkan (to cause) is the preferred analytic causative. In colloquial speech, the prefix is often dropped, leaving just buat or the alternative bikin.
4. Passive Form
This construction can be made passive using the di- passive prefix (e.g., dibuat). For example, Dia dibuat marah oleh adiknya (He was made angry by his younger sibling). It is important to distinguish this from dijadikan, which typically implies a transformation or being 'made into' a specific role or entity (e.g., Dia dijadikan ketua - He was made/appointed leader).
Examples (4)
- Kejutan itu membuat guru tersenyum.
The surprise made the teacher smile.
Word by Word: Surprise that make teacher smile.
Here, 'membuat' is followed by the object 'guru' and the resulting action 'tersenyum' (to smile).
- Berita tersebut membuat saya sangat gembira.
The news made me very happy.
Word by Word: News that make I very happy.
This demonstrates an emotional result using an adjective phrase 'sangat gembira'.
- Angin kencang membuat daun-daun berguguran.
The strong wind made the leaves fall.
Word by Word: Wind strong make leaves fall-repeatedly.
This shows a physical consequence caused by a natural force.
- Filem itu membuat penonton menangis.
The movie made the audience cry.
Word by Word: Movie that make audience cry.
A common usage for describing the effect of media or art on people.
Common Mistakes
Inserting the preposition 'kepada' (to) after 'membuat'.
Berita itu membuat kepada saya sedih.Berita itu membuat saya sedih.In Malay, 'membuat' takes a direct object. You should not place a preposition between the verb and the person being affected.
Using 'dibuatkan' instead of 'dibuat' for the passive causative.
Saya dibuatkan marah olehnya.Saya dibuat marah olehnya.'Dibuatkan' implies something was made for someone (benefactive). To say 'was made to be [adjective]', use the simple passive 'dibuat'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the analytic causative with 'membuat', learners need to be familiar with the active verb 'membuat' (to make/do) and how Malay handles predicates following an object to describe a resulting state or action.
- mem-The Mem- Form of MeN-
The verb 'membuat' uses the 'mem-' allomorph of the 'meN-' prefix, which the learner must recognize as an active transitive verb form.
Level 2 - Adjectives can be predicates
The analytic causative construction often involves causing a state where the object is followed by an adjective predicate.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- meN-...-kanCausative MeN-...-kan
The morphological alternative to 'membuat', where the causative meaning is embedded in the verb suffix.
Level 3 - membiarkan + ClausePermissive Causative
A similar analytic structure used for 'letting' or 'permitting' rather than 'making'.
Level 4 - menyuruh + VerbDirective Causative
Used when the causation involves a command or 'telling' someone to do something, which is often more natural than 'membuat' for human agency.
Level 4 - di-Basic Passive with Di-
Used to form the passive version of this causative (dibuat).
Level 2 - keranaReason Clause with Kerana
Used to explain the reason behind a state, often providing the 'why' for a 'membuat' construction.
Level 1 - akibatCause Framed as Akibat
Used to frame a cause as a result, often appearing in formal contexts alongside analytic causatives.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice membuat + Clause in Bubblegum
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