di-...-i

Passive Locative or Target Form

Level 4

The di-...-i pattern is the passive version of the meN-...-i active form. It is used when the subject of the sentence is the target or recipient of the action, rather than the object being moved.

How It Works

The di-...-i circumfix serves three primary functions in formal Malay:

1. Locative/Target Passive: It indicates that the subject is the place or person where the action ends. For example, if a gift is given to someone, using di-...-i makes the person the subject (e.g., 'Ali was gifted a book'), whereas di-...-kan would make the book the subject.

2. Transitivizing Function: It is used to turn intransitive roots (like duduk - to sit) or adjectives (like jauh - far) into transitive passive verbs. For example, diduduki (to be sat on) or dijauhi (to be avoided/distanced from).

3. Iterative/Intensive Action: It can suggest that an action is performed repeatedly or thoroughly (e.g., dipukuli - to be beaten repeatedly).

Morphology:
Unlike the meN- prefix, the di- prefix never changes its form. A strict morphological rule applies to the suffix: the -i suffix is never added to roots that already end in the phoneme /i/ (e.g., beri becomes diberi, not diberii).

Register:
This form is essential to become proficient in Bahasa Melayu Baku (Standard Malay). In casual conversation, speakers often prefer simpler constructions or the 'kena + root' passive style.

Examples (4)

  1. Borang itu perlu diisi oleh setiap pemohon.

    That form must be filled by every applicant.

    Word by Word: Form that need be-fill-i by every applicant.

    Here, 'diisi' (from 'isi' - content/fill) focuses on the form as the container being filled.

  2. Ali dihadiahi sebuah buku oleh gurunya.

    Ali was presented with a book by his teacher.

    Word by Word: Ali be-gift-i one-fruit book by teacher-his.

    Using 'dihadiahi' makes Ali (the recipient) the subject. If we used 'dihadiahkan', the book would have to be the subject.

  3. Rumah itu didatangi oleh ramai tetamu.

    The house was visited by many guests.

    Word by Word: House that be-come-i by many guest.

    The root 'datang' (come) becomes 'didatangi' to show the house is the target/location of the visiting action.

  4. Luka itu disapui ubat dengan teliti.

    The wound was smeared with medicine thoroughly.

    Word by Word: Wound that be-wipe-i medicine with careful.

    The suffix '-i' here adds a sense of thoroughness or repetitive application to the wound.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing di-...-i with di-...-kan when the subject is a person.

    Ali dihadiahkan sebuah buku.
    Ali dihadiahi sebuah buku.

    With -kan, the thing given is the subject of the passive ('Sebuah buku dihadiahkan kepada Ali'). When the person who receives is the subject, standard grammar uses -i: 'Ali dihadiahi sebuah buku'.

  • Writing a space between the prefix 'di-' and the verb.

    Buku itu di tulis olehnya.
    Buku itu ditulis olehnya.

    The passive marker 'di-' is a prefix and must be attached to the verb. Only the preposition 'di' (meaning 'at') is written with a space.

How It Connects

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

di-...-iLevel 4Passive Locative or Target Form

Learn This First

To understand the di-...-i passive, you first need to be familiar with the basic di- passive construction. You also need to understand the function of the -i suffix, which typically indicates that an action is directed toward a location or a specific object, and how this functions in active sentences (meN-...-i) before converting them to the passive voice.

Words in This Pattern

di--i