Object voice with kamu or anda
In formal Malay, when you want to say something is 'done by you', you must use the Object Voice. Unlike the standard passive, you strip the verb of its prefix and place the pronoun directly before the verb root: Object + Pronoun + Root Verb.
How It Works
The second-person object voice (Passive Type 2) is a unique feature of Malay grammar used to shift focus to the object while maintaining a direct connection to the listener.
1. The Structure
The sentence follows a strict order: Object + (Auxiliary) + Actor + Verb Root.
Example: Buku itu anda baca. (That book is read by you).
2. The Bare Root Rule
You must remove the meN- prefix from the verb. For example, membaca becomes baca, and mengirim becomes kirim. Using the prefix in this construction is a grammatical error.
3. The Inseparability Rule
Nothing is allowed to come between the pronoun (anda/kamu) and the verb root. If you use an auxiliary verb like mesti (must) or akan (will), it must be placed before the pronoun.
Correct: Surat itu akan anda tulis.
Incorrect: Surat itu anda akan tulis.
4. Register
This is the standard formal construction. While colloquial Malay often drops prefixes anyway, following this specific word order is essential for formal writing and exams.
Examples (4)
- Buku ini kamu pinjam.
This book is borrowed by you.
Word by Word: Book this you borrow.
The object 'Buku ini' comes first, followed by the pronoun 'kamu' and the bare root 'pinjam' (from meminjam).
- Tugas itu mesti anda selesaikan segera.
That task must be completed by you immediately.
Word by Word: Task that must you complete immediately.
Note that the auxiliary 'mesti' comes before the pronoun 'anda', and the verb 'selesaikan' is used without a meN- prefix.
- E-mel tersebut akan kamu hantar esok.
That email will be sent by you tomorrow.
Word by Word: Email mentioned will you send tomorrow.
The future marker 'akan' precedes the actor 'kamu'. The verb 'hantar' is the bare root of 'menghantar'.
- Keputusan itu anda buat sendiri.
That decision was made by you yourself.
Word by Word: Decision that you make self.
Focuses on the decision (object) rather than the person making it.
Common Mistakes
Using the di- prefix with a second-person pronoun.
Buku itu dibaca oleh anda.Buku itu anda baca.In standard formal Malay, the 'di-' prefix is reserved for third-person actors. For 'anda' or 'kamu', the object voice (bare root) is required.
Placing an auxiliary verb between the pronoun and the verb.
Kerja itu anda sudah siapkan.Kerja itu sudah anda siapkan.The pronoun and the verb root must never be separated. Auxiliaries like 'sudah' must come before the pronoun.
Retaining the meN- prefix in the object voice.
Surat itu anda mengirim.Surat itu anda kirim.The object voice requires the bare verb root. You must strip the 'me-' prefix from 'mengirim'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the second-person object voice, you must first understand how Malay handles object-focused sentences with pronouns. Unlike the standard passive (di-), sentences with 'kamu' or 'anda' require the pronoun to be placed directly before the bare verb root, similar to the first-person object voice construction.
- Object voice with saya or aku
The second-person object voice follows the same structural logic as the first-person object voice, where the actor and bare verb root form a single unit.
Level 3 - kamuFamiliar Second-person Kamu
The learner must be familiar with the second-person pronoun 'kamu' as it is one of the actors used in this specific construction.
Level 1 - andaPolite Second-person Anda
The learner must be familiar with the second-person pronoun 'anda' as it is one of the actors used in this specific construction.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- di-Basic Passive with Di-
The standard passive form used for third-person actors (he, she, they, or names).
Level 2 - Aspect inside object voice
Explains how to correctly place time markers like 'sudah' or 'akan' within this construction.
Level 4 - meN-Active Transitive Verbs with MeN-
The active voice prefix that must be removed to form the object voice.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Object voice with kamu or anda in Bubblegum
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