membiarkan + Clause
Permissive Causative
membiarkan + Object + Predicate = 'to let' or 'to leave (in a state)'.
How It Works
The verb membiarkan is derived from the root biar (let) with the meN- prefix and the -kan causative suffix.
Unlike active permission (like mengizinkan), membiarkan often implies a lack of action or even neglect. It follows the structure: Subject + membiarkan + Object + Predicate.
Key characteristics include:
- Predicate Variety: The predicate following the object can be a root verb (pergi), a prefixed verb (menunggu), or an adjective/stative verb (terbuka).
- Nuance of Neglect: It is frequently used when someone 'leaves' a situation alone, such as leaving a light on or letting a problem continue.
- Passive Voice: In formal writing, the di- passive form dibiarkan is very common, used to describe things that are left in a certain state (e.g., dibiarkan terbuka - left open).
- Register: While biar is common in speech, membiarkan is the standard form for writing and formal contexts.
Examples (5)
- Dia membiarkan adiknya bermain di taman.
He let his younger sibling play in the park.
Word by Word: He let sibling-his play at park.
Here, 'membiarkan' shows the subject is allowing the sibling to play without stopping them.
- Jangan membiarkan pintu itu terbuka.
Don't leave that door open.
Word by Word: Don't let door that open.
In this context, 'membiarkan' refers to leaving an object in a specific state (open).
- Kerajaan tidak akan membiarkan perkara ini berlarutan.
The government will not let this matter drag on.
Word by Word: Government not will let matter this persist.
A formal usage where 'membiarkan' implies the government will take action to stop a situation.
- Ibu membiarkan saya membuat keputusan sendiri.
Mother let me make my own decision.
Word by Word: Mother let me make decision self.
Demonstrates permissive causation where the subject allows the object to perform an action.
- Masalah itu dibiarkan begitu sahaja tanpa sebarang tindakan.
The problem was just left like that without any action.
Word by Word: Problem that was-let so only without any action.
This uses the passive form 'dibiarkan' to focus on the situation being left unattended.
Common Mistakes
Using 'meninggalkan' to mean 'leaving a state'.
Saya meninggalkan lampu menyala.Saya membiarkan lampu menyala.'Meninggalkan' means to physically leave a place or person behind. To leave something in a state (like leaving lights on), use 'membiarkan'.
Placing the verb before the object.
Dia membiarkan pergi kucing itu.Dia membiarkan kucing itu pergi.Malay is an SVO language; the object (kucing itu) must come immediately after the transitive verb 'membiarkan'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'membiarkan + clause', a learner needs to be familiar with how the 'meN-' prefix and '-kan' suffix combine to form transitive causative verbs. Additionally, since this pattern involves a complex sentence structure where one action allows another, a solid grasp of basic Malay sentence order (SVO) is required to identify the object and the subsequent predicate.
- mem-The Mem- Form of MeN-
The verb 'membiarkan' uses the 'mem-' allomorph of the 'meN-' prefix, which is necessary to recognize the active transitive form of the root 'biar'.
Level 2 - -kanBasic -kan Valency Change
The '-kan' suffix on 'membiarkan' is a causative marker that changes the valency of the root 'biar' to allow for an object and a following clause.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- membuat + ClauseAnalytic Causative with Membuat
'Membuat' is a factual/forced causative (making something happen), whereas 'membiarkan' is permissive (letting something happen).
Level 4 - boleh + VerbPermission and Practical Possibility with Boleh
'Boleh' expresses the possibility or permission to do something, while 'membiarkan' focuses on the act of the causer allowing it.
Level 1 - menyuruh + VerbDirective Causative
'Menyuruh' is a directive causative (telling someone to do something), contrasting with the non-interference of 'membiarkan'.
Level 4 - janganNegative Commands with Jangan
'Jangan' is often used with 'membiarkan' to tell someone NOT to leave something in a certain state.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice membiarkan + Clause in Bubblegum
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