-kan

Basic -kan Valency Change

Level 2

The suffix -kan is a powerful tool in Malay that changes how a verb interacts with its objects. It can turn an adjective into an action (clean → to clean) or show that an action is being done for someone else.

How It Works

The suffix -kan is essential for building complex sentences in Malay. While it does not trigger nasalization like prefixes, roots ending in the letter 'k' (like masuk or masak) must retain both 'k's when the suffix is added (e.g., masukkan). This is important because it distinguishes verbs from nouns ending in -an (like masukan, meaning 'input'). Crucially, in formal, active, declarative sentences, the -kan suffix must be paired with the meN- prefix. For example, you must write Dia membersihkan bilik, not Dia bersihkan bilik.

1. Causative Function
It transforms an intransitive verb or adjective into a transitive action. For example, bersih (clean) becomes membersihkan (to clean/make clean).

2. Benefactive Function
It indicates that the action is performed for the benefit of someone else. For example, beli (buy) becomes membelikan (buy for someone).

3. Transferred Object (Instrumental) Function
Also known as the 'Instrumental' function, it indicates that the object is being moved or directed toward something else. For example, menikamkan means to plunge or thrust an object (like a weapon) into something.

4. Put Into / Treat As Function
It can turn a noun into a verb meaning to put someone into that place or treat them as that noun. For example, penjara (prison) becomes memenjarakan (to imprison).

5. Directed Action / Focus
It directs an intransitive verb toward a specific object, often replacing an English preposition like 'to' or 'for'. For example, dengar (listen) becomes mendengarkan (listen to something), and harap (hope) becomes mengharapkan (hope for something).

6. Imperative and Passive Forms
In commands, the -kan suffix is retained if the verb is derived with it (e.g., Bersihkan!). However, for base transitive verbs, standard Malay uses the bare root (e.g., Tutup pintu, not Tutupkan pintu unless you mean 'close it for me'). Similarly, in first- and second-person object voice passives, the meN- prefix is dropped but -kan must remain (e.g., Buku itu saya masukkan).

7. Contrast with -i
While -kan often focuses on the object being moved or the beneficiary, the suffix -i focuses on the location or recipient (choosing -kan or -i). For example, melemparkan batu (throw a stone) vs melempari anjing (throw at a dog).

Register Note: While -kan is mandatory in formal writing (Bahasa Baku), it is often dropped in casual conversation or replaced by words like kasi or bagi.

Important Note: Do not confuse the verb suffix -kan with the colloquial sentence-ending tag ...kan? (a contraction of bukan, meaning 'right?' or 'isn't it?', as in Cantik, kan?). They are completely unrelated.

Examples (6)

  1. Sila bersihkan bilik ini.

    Please clean this room.

    Word by Word: Please clean [cause to be clean] room this.

    Here, -kan turns the adjective 'bersih' (clean) into a causative command. The suffix is retained in the imperative form.

  2. Ayah membelikan adik sebuah basikal.

    Father bought younger sibling a bicycle.

    Word by Word: Father [active]-buy-[for] younger sibling a bicycle.

    The -kan suffix shows the action was done for the 'adik' (younger sibling).

  3. Ibu memasukkan baju ke dalam almari.

    Mother put the clothes into the cupboard.

    Word by Word: Mother [active]-enter-[kan] clothes to inside cupboard.

    Note the double 'k' spelling: the root 'masuk' (enter) ends in 'k', so adding -kan results in 'masukkan'. This distinguishes it from the noun 'masukan' (input).

  4. Buku itu sudah saya pulangkan.

    I have already returned the book.

    Word by Word: Book that already I return-[kan].

    In first-person passive constructions, the prefix meN- is dropped, but the suffix -kan must be retained.

  5. Dia menikamkan keris itu ke dinding.

    He plunged the keris into the wall.

    Word by Word: He [active]-stab-[kan] keris that to wall.

    This demonstrates the transferred object function, where the 'keris' is the object being moved or directed toward the wall.

  6. Polis memenjarakan pencuri itu.

    The police imprisoned the thief.

    Word by Word: Police [active]-prison-[kan] thief that.

    The -kan suffix here creates a verb meaning 'to put into' the noun (penjara/prison).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'kepada' for the person you buy something for.

    Saya membelikan buku kepada ibu.
    Saya membelikan ibu buku.

    With a benefactive -kan verb, the person can follow the verb directly ('membelikan ibu buku') or be introduced with 'untuk' ('membelikan buku untuk ibu'). 'Kepada' is for receivers of a transfer, not for the person you buy for.

  • Swapping the order of the beneficiary and the item.

    Saya membelikan buku ibu.
    Saya membelikan ibu buku.

    The correct word order is Verb + Beneficiary (Person) + Theme (Object).

How It Connects

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-kanLevel 2Basic -kan Valency Change

Learn This First

To understand the -kan suffix, you first need a solid grasp of basic Malay sentence structure (SVO) and how verbs are typically prefixed with meN- (active) or di- (passive). Since -kan changes how a verb interacts with its objects (valency), knowing how standard transitive verbs behave is a prerequisite for understanding these more complex derivations.

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