memper-...-kan

Complex Memper-...-kan Verbs

Level 4

The memper-...-kan circumfix is a formal way to create transitive verbs. It usually means 'to cause someone/something to be' or 'to treat someone/something as' the root word.

How It Works

The memper-...-kan circumfix serves three main functions:

1. Causative (To cause to be): It turns a root into an action that causes a state. For example, kenal (to know) becomes memperkenalkan (to introduce/cause to know).
2. To treat as: When used with nouns, it often means treating the object as that noun. For example, hamba (slave) becomes memperhambakan (to enslave/treat as a slave).
3. Lexicalized Meanings: Some words have specific, fixed meanings that must be learned as units, such as mempertimbangkan (to consider).

Morphological Rules:

  • No Nasalization: Unlike the standard meN- prefix, the 'p' in per- does not drop or change. Example: memper- + alat = memperalatkan.
  • R-dropping: If the root word starts with the letter 'r', the 'r' in the prefix per- is dropped to avoid a double 'r'. Example: memper- + rendah = memperendah (Note: this specific case usually drops the -kan as it involves an adjective).

Register Note: This is a high-level, formal pattern. In casual conversation, speakers often use the simpler meN-...-kan form (e.g., mengenalkan instead of memperkenalkan).

Examples (4)

  1. Saya ingin memperkenalkan rakan saya kepada anda.

    I would like to introduce my friend to you.

    Word by Word: I want to-cause-to-know friend my to you.

    Here, 'memperkenalkan' is the causative form of 'kenal' (to know).

  2. Kita perlu mempertimbangkan cadangan itu dengan teliti.

    We need to consider that proposal carefully.

    Word by Word: We need to-consider proposal that with careful.

    ‘Mempertimbangkan’ is a common lexicalized verb meaning 'to consider' or 'to weigh'.

  3. Dia dituduh memperhambakan pekerjanya.

    He was accused of enslaving his workers.

    Word by Word: He was-accused to-treat-as-slave workers-his.

    This uses the 'treat as' function, turning the noun 'hamba' (slave) into a verb.

  4. Rakyat sedang memperjuangkan hak mereka.

    The people are fighting for their rights.

    Word by Word: People are to-cause-to-struggle-for rights their.

    ‘Memperjuangkan’ means to carry out a struggle for a specific cause.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -kan with adjectives when using the memper- prefix.

    Kerajaan mahu memperbesarkan jalan ini.
    Kerajaan mahu memperbesar jalan ini.

    In standard Malay, 'memper-' + adjective means 'to make more [adjective]'. Adding '-kan' is considered redundant (contamination). Use either 'memperbesar' or 'membesarkan', but not 'memperbesarkan'.

  • Applying nasalization rules to the 'p' in memper-.

    memerkenalkan
    memperkenalkan

    Unlike the basic 'meN-' prefix where 'p' often changes to 'm', the 'p' in the 'per-' component of 'memper-' always remains.

How It Connects

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memper-...-kanLevel 4Complex Memper-...-kan Verbs

Learn This First

The memper-...-kan circumfix is a complex verbal derivation. To understand it, learners must first be familiar with the individual components: the memper- prefix (often used for causative or degree meanings) and the -kan suffix (used for transitivity). Additionally, familiarity with the standard causative meN-...-kan is necessary to distinguish these more lexicalized or formal complex verbs from regular causative constructions.

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Words in This Pattern

memper--kan