di-...-kan

Passive Causative or Benefactive

Level 4

The di-...-kan pattern is the passive version of meN-...-kan. It is used in formal Malay to show that the subject is receiving an action that was either caused by someone else or done for their sake.

How It Works

The di-...-kan circumfix is a hallmark of standard and formal Malay. It transforms a root word into a transitive passive verb.

1. Causative Function
It can turn adjectives or nouns into passive actions. For example, the adjective bersih (clean) becomes dibersihkan (to be cleaned/caused to be clean). This indicates a change of state forced upon the subject.

2. Benefactive Function
It indicates that the action is performed for a recipient. In the sentence 'Saya dibelikan baju' (I was bought a shirt), the suffix -kan signals that the 'buying' was for the benefit of 'Saya'.

3. Morphological Rules

  • The prefix di- is always attached directly to the root without a space (unlike the preposition di).
  • The suffix -kan remains stable regardless of the root's ending.
  • It is primarily used with third-person agents (he, she, they, or names). For first and second person, standard grammar often prefers object voice, though di-...-kan is seen in modern usage.

Examples (4)

  1. Bilik itu sedang dibersihkan oleh kakak.

    That room is being cleaned by my older sister.

    Word by Word: Room that [progressive] [passive]-clean-[causative] by sister.

    Here, 'dibersihkan' is causative; the room is being caused to become clean.

  2. Surat itu dibacakan oleh Ali untuk neneknya.

    The letter was read by Ali for his grandmother.

    Word by Word: Letter that [passive]-read-[benefactive] by Ali for grandmother-his.

    The suffix -kan indicates the action of reading was performed for the benefit of the grandmother.

  3. Jadual penerbangan itu telah dibatalkan.

    The flight schedule has been cancelled.

    Word by Word: Schedule flight that [already] [passive]-void-[causative].

    The root 'batal' (void/invalid) is made into a passive verb meaning 'caused to be void'.

  4. Saya dibelikan sebuah buku oleh ayah.

    I was bought a book by my father.

    Word by Word: I [passive]-buy-[benefactive] [classifier] book by father.

    In this benefactive usage, the person benefited (Saya) is the subject of the sentence.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing 'di' as a separate word.

    Buku itu di berikan kepada saya.
    Buku itu diberikan kepada saya.

    In Malay, 'di' is a prefix for verbs and must be attached. It is only written separately when it is a preposition indicating location.

  • Using di-...-kan when the recipient is the subject.

    Saya dihadiahkan buku itu.
    Saya dihadiahi buku itu.

    When the gift is the subject, use -kan: 'Buku itu dihadiahkan kepada saya.' When the person receiving is the subject, standard usage prefers -i: 'Saya dihadiahi buku itu.'

How It Connects

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di-...-kanLevel 4Passive Causative or Benefactive

Learn This First

To understand the di-...-kan passive, you must first be familiar with the basic di- passive prefix and how the -kan suffix functions to create causative or benefactive verbs in their active (meN-) forms.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

di--kan