memper-

Causative or Degree with Memper-

Level 4

The memper- prefix is a formal causative marker. With adjectives, it indicates an increase in degree (e.g., 'to make bigger'). With nouns, it indicates treating someone or something as that noun. With verbs, it often means to cause an action to happen or be experienced.

How It Works

The memper- prefix is known for its specific nuances and formal register.

1. Causative of Degree (Adjectives)
When attached to an adjective, it means to increase that quality. For example, while membesarkan means 'to make big', memperbesar often implies 'to make even bigger' or 'to enlarge further'.

  • memperkecil (to make smaller/minimize)
  • memperjelas (to make clearer/clarify)
  • memperluas (to widen/expand)

Crucial Rule: Never use the memper-...-kan circumfix with adjectives. Forms like memperbesarkan are grammatically incorrect; you must use either memperbesar or membesarkan.

2. 'Treat As' or 'Acquire' (Nouns)
With nouns, it describes a relationship or treatment.

  • memperisteri (to take as a wife for oneself)
  • memperalat (to use as a tool/exploit)
  • memperhamba (to treat as a slave/servant)

3. Fractions/Division (Numerals)
When attached to a numeral (Kata Bilangan), the prefix means 'to divide into [number] parts'.

  • memperdua (to divide into two/halve)
  • mempertiga (to divide into three)

4. Causative with Verbs and Other Word Classes
The prefix is also heavily used with verb roots, often combining with the suffix -kan to form memper-...-kan verbs. This means 'to cause someone to [verb]' or 'to cause [verb] to happen'.

  • memperlihatkan (to show / cause to be seen, from lihat)
  • memperdengarkan (to play audio / cause to be heard, from dengar)
  • mempertahankan (to defend / maintain, from tahan)

Additionally, the base memper- prefix can attach to prepositions (Kata Sendi Nama) to form verbs, most notably memperoleh (to obtain/get, from the preposition oleh).

5. The -kan Distinction
A critical distinction exists between memper- and memper-...-kan when used with nouns. The base memper- form usually implies the subject is the one acquiring the noun or performing the treatment, whereas adding -kan makes it causative for someone else. For example, memperisteri means to take a wife for oneself, while memperisterikan means to marry off one's son (causing him to have a wife).

6. The memper-...-i Circumfix
The prefix can also combine with the -i suffix to form memper-...-i verbs. However, this circumfix is completely unproductive, meaning you cannot use it to create new words. It is limited to a few standard words like memperingati (to commemorate) and memperkawani (to befriend). Crucially, memperbaiki (to fix or improve) is a major exception to the rule established in Point 1: even though its root baik is an adjective, it takes the -i suffix, making it the most famous exception to the rule against using suffixes with adjectives in this pattern.

7. Morphological Rule
Crucially, the p in the per- prefix exceptionally resists being dropped by the meN- prefix nasalization rules (it becomes memper-, not memer-). The root word's initial consonant is completely unaffected because it follows the r in per-.
Example: meN- + per- + kecil = memperkecil.

8. Register
This prefix is highly formal. In casual conversation, speakers usually prefer -kan or meN-...-kan forms.

9. Passive Form
To form the passive of a memper- verb, the active prefix memper- is replaced by diper-. Do not stack the prefixes (e.g., never use dimemper-).

  • memperbesar (to enlarge) → diperbesar (to be enlarged)
  • memperisteri (to take as a wife) → diperisteri (to be taken as a wife)

Examples (4)

  1. Pihak kerajaan berusaha untuk memperjelas isu tersebut kepada rakyat.

    The government is striving to clarify (make clearer) that issue to the people.

    Word by Word: Side government effort for make-clear issue that to people.

    Here, 'memperjelas' is used with the adjective 'jelas' (clear) to mean making something that might already be known even clearer.

  2. Kita perlu memperkuat pertahanan negara demi keselamatan bersama.

    We need to strengthen the country's defense for collective safety.

    Word by Word: We need make-strong defense country for-the-sake-of safety together.

    The root 'kuat' (strong) remains intact because it follows the 'r' in 'memper-'. Additionally, the 'p' in the 'per-' prefix exceptionally resists being dropped by the 'meN-' nasalization.

  3. Jangan biarkan orang lain memperalat kamu untuk kepentingan mereka.

    Don't let other people use you as a tool for their interests.

    Word by Word: Don't let person other make-tool you for interest them.

    In this case, 'memperalat' comes from the noun 'alat' (tool), meaning to treat someone as a tool.

  4. Syarikat itu ingin memperluas pasaran mereka ke luar negara.

    That company wants to expand their market abroad.

    Word by Word: Company that want make-wide market them to outside country.

    Using 'memperluas' (from 'luas' - wide) is the standard formal way to discuss business expansion.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding the redundant '-kan' suffix to adjectives.

    Kita perlu memperbesarkan bilik ini.
    Kita perlu memperbesar bilik ini.

    According to formal grammar (Tatabahasa Dewan), adding '-kan' to an adjective already prefixed with 'memper-' is redundant. Use 'memperbesar' or 'membesarkan', but not both together.

  • Dropping the 'p' in the 'per-' prefix due to nasalization rules.

    Dia cuba memerluas pengaruhnya.
    Dia cuba memperluas pengaruhnya.

    The 'p' in the 'per-' prefix is an exception to the standard 'meN-' nasalization rules and is never dropped. It becomes 'memper-', not 'memer-'. The root word itself (like 'luas') is unaffected because it follows the 'r'.

How It Connects

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

memper-Level 4Causative or Degree with Memper-

Learn This First

To understand the memper- causative, learners need a solid grasp of the Malay verbal prefix system (meN-), specifically how prefixes attach to roots. It is also helpful to understand the standard causative suffix (-kan) as memper- often serves a similar function of increasing the degree of an adjective or making something possess a certain quality.

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Words in This Pattern

memper-