peN-...-an / per-...-an
Choosing Process Nominalizers
Malay uses two main circumfixes to turn verbs into nouns: peN-...-an for the process of doing something, and per-...-an for the result, place, or abstract concept.
How It Works
In formal Malay, these two affixes serve distinct semantic roles:
1. peN-...-an (The Process)
This affix focuses on the act or procedure. It follows the same nasalization rules as the meN- prefix (e.g., p becomes m, t becomes n).
- bina (build) → pembinaan (the act of building)
- daftar (register) → pendaftaran (the process of registration)
2. per-...-an (The Result/Entity)
This affix focuses on the result, location, or collective concept. It is generally stable as per-, though the 'r' may drop if the root starts with 'r' or contains 'er' in the first syllable.
- rumah (house) → perumahan (housing/residential area)
- kerja (work) → pekerjaan (occupation/job - result of working)
Key Distinctions:
Some roots can take both, creating different meanings:
- pengajaran: The act of teaching (process).
- pelajaran: The lesson or subject (result).
- pengadilan: The act of judging/legal proceedings.
- peradilan: The justice system/judiciary (institution).
Examples (5)
- Proses pendaftaran pelajar baharu akan bermula esok.
The process of registering new students will begin tomorrow.
Word by Word: Process registration student new will begin tomorrow.
Here, 'pendaftaran' (peN-an) is used because it refers to the active process of registering.
- Kawasan perumahan ini sangat sunyi pada waktu malam.
This housing area is very quiet at night.
Word by Word: Area housing this very quiet at time night.
Here, 'perumahan' (per-an) refers to the collective entity or place (housing), not the act of building houses.
- Pengajaran guru itu sangat mudah difahami.
That teacher's teaching is very easy to understand.
Word by Word: Teaching teacher that very easy understood.
Using 'pengajaran' (peN-an) emphasizes the teacher's act of delivering the lesson.
- Murid-murid sedang mengulang kaji pelajaran mereka.
The students are revising their lessons.
Word by Word: Students are repeat review lesson they.
Using 'pelajaran' (per-an) refers to the content or the subject matter they are studying.
- Pihak polis sedang menyiasat pembunuhan itu.
The police are investigating that murder.
Word by Word: Side police are investigate murder that.
'Pembunuhan' (peN-an) refers to the act of killing (the crime itself).
Common Mistakes
Using per-...-an for a process that requires nasalization.
Perlantikan pengurus baharu telah diumumkan.Pelantikan pengurus baharu telah diumumkan.The root 'lantik' (appoint) relates to the active verb 'melantik'. Therefore, the process of appointing should be 'pelantikan' (peN-an), where 'l' does not change but the prefix is 'pe-', not 'per-'.
'Pengajaran Matematik' is correct, but it means the teaching of Maths, not the subject.
Different MeaningSaya suka pengajaran Matematik.Saya suka pelajaran Matematik.If you like the subject you study, use 'pelajaran'. 'Pengajaran' refers to the act of teaching it.
Related Patterns
- peN-...-anProcess Nouns with PeN-...-an
This is the specific pattern for the process-oriented nominalizer discussed here.
Level 3 - per-...-anPer-...-an Nouns
This is the specific pattern for the result/location nominalizer discussed here.
Level 3 - meN-Active Transitive Verbs with MeN-
peN-...-an nouns are morphologically linked to meN- active verbs.
Level 2 - ber-Basic Activity Verbs with Ber-
per-...-an nouns are often morphologically linked to ber- verbs.
Level 2 - -anResult or Object Nouns with -an
The suffix -an is a simpler way to create result nouns, which forms the basis of both circumfixes.
Level 2 - Nasal alternation in agent nouns
Understanding nasalization is crucial for correctly forming peN-...-an nouns.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice peN-...-an / per-...-an in Bubblegum
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