memper-...-i

Complex Memper-...-i Verbs

Level 4

The memper-...-i pattern is a formal causative circumfix. It is not productive, meaning you cannot use it with any word; it only applies to a small group of specific adjectives and nouns to create transitive verbs.

How It Works

The memper-...-i circumfix is a specialized pattern in Malay grammar, primarily used with a very limited set of roots.

1. Usage with Adjectives
In formal Malay, adding -i to memper- + adjective is generally considered redundant (lewah). The primary exception accepted in standard Malay is:

  • baharu (new) → memperbaharui (to renew)

Note that for other adjectives like baik, the standard form is memperbaik (without the -i).

2. Usage with Nouns (Social Roles)
When used with nouns representing family roles, it means 'to take someone as [noun]'. For roots ending in -i, the suffix is absorbed:

  • isteri (wife) → memperisteri (to take as a wife)
  • suami (husband) → mempersuami (to take as a husband)

3. The -i vs -kan Distinction
It is vital to distinguish between memper-...-i and memper-...-kan for social nouns:

  • Memperisteri: The subject takes a wife for themselves.
  • Memperisterikan: The subject (e.g., a parent) gives a wife to their son.

4. Phonological Note
For roots already ending in -i (like isteri), the suffix -i is not doubled. It is written as memperisteri, not memperisterii.

Examples (4)

  1. Kerajaan berusaha untuk memperbaharui kontrak tersebut.

    The government is striving to renew the contract.

    Word by Word: Government strive for renew contract that.

    'Memperbaharui' (from 'baharu' - new) is a standard formal term for 'to renew'.

  2. Majlis itu diadakan untuk memperingati jasa pahlawan negara.

    The ceremony was held to commemorate the services of the nation's heroes.

    Word by Word: Ceremony that held for commemorate service hero nation.

    'Memperingati' (from 'ingat' - remember) is a common formal word for 'to commemorate'.

  3. Baginda telah memperisteri seorang puteri dari seberang.

    The King has taken a princess from overseas as his wife.

    Word by Word: His Majesty already take-as-wife a princess from overseas.

    'Memperisteri' shows the social transition of taking someone as a wife.

  4. Ayah memperisterikan abang dengan gadis pilihannya.

    Father married off my older brother to the girl of his choice.

    Word by Word: Father marry-off older-brother with girl choice-his.

    Contrast this with 'memperisteri'; the suffix -kan indicates the father is marrying off his son, not taking a wife himself.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping the -i from 'memperbaiki'.

    Kita perlu memperbaik jambatan itu.
    Kita perlu memperbaiki jambatan itu.

    'Memperbaiki' (to repair, to improve) is the standard verb and keeps its -i. 'Memperbaik' is not used. 'Membaiki' is a common everyday word with the same meaning.

  • Confusing 'memper-...-i' with 'memper-...-kan' for social nouns.

    Sultan itu memperisterikan puteri itu.
    Sultan itu memperisteri puteri itu.

    Use memperisteri if the subject is the one taking a wife. Use memperisterikan if the subject is marrying someone else off (e.g., a father marrying off his son).

How It Connects

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

memper-...-iLevel 4Complex Memper-...-i Verbs

Learn This First

The memper-...-i circumfix is a complex verbal structure. To understand it, you must first be familiar with the memper- prefix (used for causative or intensive verbs) and the -i suffix (used to indicate a location or a specific target). This pattern is restricted to a small set of verbs, so understanding the individual components helps in recognizing these specific lexical forms.

Words in This Pattern

memper--i