-i

Basic -i Target Marking

Level 2

The suffix -i creates transitive verbs that focus on a location (where the action happens), a recipient (who receives the action), or repetition (doing something multiple times).

How It Works

The suffix -i is a versatile tool in Malay grammar, though it is more common in formal writing than in daily conversation. Its functions can be broken down into three main categories:

  • Locative (Stationary Target): The object of the verb is the place where the action occurs. For example, menduduki (to occupy/sit on) vs. mendudukkan (to seat someone).
  • Recipient/Benefactive: The object is the person receiving something. For example, menghadiahi (to present someone with a gift).
  • Iterative (Repetitive): It indicates the action is done repeatedly or with intensity, such as memukuli (to beat repeatedly) compared to memukul (to hit once).

Morphological Rules:
1. It attaches to nouns, verbs, and adjectives.
2. It almost always requires a prefix like meN- for active voice or di- for passive voice.
3. When a root ends in a vowel (like cinta), the spelling remains mencintai, though a slight glottal stop or glide is heard in speech.

Register Note: In casual speech, -i is often dropped or replaced by the root word or the suffix -in (influenced by Indonesian/colloquial styles).

Examples (5)

  1. Dia memagari kebunnya dengan kawat berduri.

    He fenced his garden with barbed wire.

    Word by Word: He fence-i garden-his with wire thorny.

    Here, '-i' is locative; the garden is the stationary object being fenced.

  2. Pihak tentera telah menduduki bangunan itu.

    The military has occupied that building.

    Word by Word: Side military already sit-i building that.

    The verb 'menduduki' (from 'duduk' - to sit) means to occupy a stationary location.

  3. Ibu menghadiahi adik sebuah buku cerita.

    Mother presented my younger sibling with a storybook.

    Word by Word: Mother gift-i younger-sibling a-piece book story.

    The suffix '-i' marks the recipient (the sibling) as the direct object.

  4. Penduduk kampung melempari pencuri itu dengan batu.

    The villagers pelted the thief with stones.

    Word by Word: Resident village throw-i thief that with stone.

    The suffix '-i' here indicates a repetitive action (throwing many stones repeatedly).

  5. Kita mesti menghormati ibu bapa kita.

    We must respect our parents.

    Word by Word: We must respect-i mother father our.

    A common formal usage where '-i' directs the feeling of respect toward a target.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -i when the object is being moved (should be -kan).

    Saya memasuki buku ke dalam beg.
    Saya masukkan buku ke dalam beg.

    '-i' is for stationary targets. Since the book is being moved into the bag, the causative '-kan' is required.

  • Confusing the recipient and the item given.

    Ibu menghadiahi sebuah buku kepada adik.
    Ibu menghadiahkan sebuah buku kepada adik.

    If the 'book' (the item) is the direct object, use '-kan'. If the 'sibling' (the recipient) is the direct object, use '-i'.

How It Connects

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-iLevel 2Basic -i Target Marking

Learn This First

To understand the -i suffix, you first need a solid grasp of how active transitive verbs are formed using the meN- prefix and how basic sentences are structured. It is also helpful to be familiar with the -kan suffix, as -i and -kan are the two main ways Malay modifies verb meanings to change how they interact with objects.

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-i