diper-...-kan

Passive Memper-...-kan

Level 4

The circumfix diper-...-kan is the passive counterpart to memper-...-kan. It is used in formal Malay to indicate that an object is being caused to become something or is being treated with a specific intensive action.

How It Works

The diper-...-kan circumfix functions as a complex passive marker. Its usage can be broken down into three main areas:

1. Causative Passive: It indicates that the subject of the sentence is being 'caused' to undergo an action.
Example: diperhambakan (to be enslaved/caused to be a slave).

2. Intensive Action: It often implies a more thorough or formal process than the standard di-...-kan. For instance, while didebatkan means 'debated', diperdebatkan suggests a formal, structured debate like those in Parliament.

3. Morphological Rules:

  • Nouns/Verbs: It attaches freely to nouns (e.g., diperisterikan - to be taken as a wife) and verbs (e.g., diperlihatkan - to be shown).
  • Adjective Restriction: A critical rule in Tatabahasa Dewan is that diper-...-kan should not be used with adjectives. To make an adjective passive, use diper- (e.g., diperbesar) or di-...-kan (e.g., dibesarkan), but never *diperbesarkan.

This pattern is rarely used in colloquial speech, where speakers prefer simpler verb forms.

Examples (4)

  1. Cadangan itu telah diperdebatkan di Parlimen semalam.

    That proposal was debated in Parliament yesterday.

    Word by Word: Proposal that already was-formally-debated at Parliament yesterday.

    Here, 'diperdebatkan' is used because the debate is a formal, intensive process occurring in an official setting.

  2. Buku-buku tersebut dipersembahkan kepada tetamu kehormat.

    Those books were presented to the guest of honor.

    Word by Word: Books those were-presented to guest honor.

    'Dipersembahkan' is the passive of 'mempersembahkan', used for formal presentations or performances.

  3. Setiap sen yang dibelanjakan mesti dipertanggungjawabkan.

    Every cent spent must be accounted for.

    Word by Word: Every cent that is-spent must be-held-accountable.

    This uses the compound root 'tanggungjawab' (responsibility) to form a passive meaning 'to be held accountable'.

  4. Beliau diperkenalkan kepada pengurus besar syarikat itu.

    He was introduced to the general manager of that company.

    Word by Word: He (respectful) was-introduced to manager big company that.

    'Diperkenalkan' is the standard formal way to say 'to be introduced'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using diper-...-kan with adjectives.

    Jalan itu diperlebarkan untuk mengurangkan kesesakan.
    Jalan itu diperlebar untuk mengurangkan kesesakan.

    According to standard Malay grammar, you should not use the suffix '-kan' when the root is an adjective (lebar) and you are already using the 'per-' prefix. Use 'diperlebar' or 'dilebarkan' instead.

  • 'Saya diperkenalkan oleh kawan saya kepada bos' is correct, but it means a friend introduced you to the boss.

    Different MeaningSaya diperkenalkan oleh kawan saya kepada bos.
    Saya memperkenalkan kawan saya kepada bos.

    'Diperkenalkan' is passive: the subject is the one being introduced. To say that you introduced your friend, use the active 'memperkenalkan'.

How It Connects

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

diper-...-kanLevel 4Passive Memper-...-kan

Learn This First

The diper-...-kan pattern is a complex passive construction. To understand it, a learner must first be familiar with the active version (memper-...-kan) and the basic passive prefix (di-). It also helps to understand how the -kan suffix functions in simpler passive constructions before tackling the multi-layered diper-...-kan form.

Words in This Pattern

di-per--kan