perlu di-

Recommended Passive Action

Level 5

perlu di- = "needs to be [verb-ed]" or "should be [verb-ed]". It is a formal way to state requirements or recommendations without focusing on who is doing the action.

How It Works

The construction perlu di- is a passive auxiliary pattern used to indicate necessity or advisability. Unlike mesti di- (must be), which implies a strict command, perlu di- suggests that an action is a necessary step to achieve a specific result.

1. Structure and Morphology
The pattern consists of the word perlu followed by a transitive verb root prefixed with di-. In standard Malay, the prefix di- is always attached directly to the verb without a space or hyphen (e.g., perlu dibaca).

2. Active vs. Passive Choice
Use the active form (perlu + verb) when you want to focus on the person performing the action (e.g., Kita perlu membaca buku ini). Use the passive perlu di- when the focus is on the object or the action itself, which is common in formal writing.

3. Handling the Agent (Person Restriction)
In formal Malay (Tatabahasa Dewan), the di- prefix is strictly for third-person agents. If you need to specify a third-person agent, use oleh (e.g., perlu dibaca oleh beliau).

Crucially, if the agent is first-person (I/we) or second-person (you), you cannot use the di- prefix. Instead, you must use the object voice or second-person object voice construction, where the prefix is dropped: perlu saya baca (not perlu dibaca oleh saya).

Examples (4)

  1. Hal ini perlu diperhatikan oleh semua pihak.

    This matter needs to be given attention by all parties.

    Word by Word: Matter this need be-attended-to by all parties.

    This uses the verb 'perhati' (to notice/pay attention). The focus is on the 'matter' rather than the people.

  2. Langkah-langkah keselamatan perlu diambil segera.

    Safety measures need to be taken immediately.

    Word by Word: Steps safety need be-taken immediately.

    Commonly found in manuals or workplace guidelines. The agent is omitted because the instruction applies to everyone.

  3. Setiap permohonan perlu disertakan dengan dokumen sokongan.

    Every application needs to be accompanied by supporting documents.

    Word by Word: Every application need be-accompanied with document support.

    A standard formal requirement for administrative processes.

  4. Borang ini perlu dihantar sebelum hari Jumaat.

    This form needs to be sent before Friday.

    Word by Word: Form this need be-sent before day Friday.

    Uses the passive to emphasize the deadline and the object (the form) rather than the person sending it.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing 'di-' as a separate word (confusing it with the preposition).

    Buku itu perlu di baca.
    Buku itu perlu dibaca.

    In Malay, the passive prefix 'di-' must be attached to the verb. The separate word 'di' is only used as a preposition for locations.

  • Using 'di-... oleh' with first or second-person pronouns.

    Laporan itu perlu dibaca oleh saya.
    Laporan itu perlu saya baca.

    In formal Malay, the 'di-' passive is restricted to third-person agents. For first-person (saya, aku) or second-person (anda, kamu) agents, you must use the object voice where the 'di-' prefix is removed and the pronoun is placed directly before the verb.

How It Connects

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

perlu di-Level 5Recommended Passive Action

Learn This First

The pattern 'perlu di-' combines the modal verb 'perlu' (need/must) with a passive 'di-' verb. To understand this, learners must first be familiar with how 'perlu' functions as a modal and how the 'di-' prefix transforms a verb into the passive voice, particularly in contexts where the actor is not specified.

Words in This Pattern

di-