mesti di-
Required Passive Action
The pattern mesti di- is used in formal Malay to state that something must be done. It is the standard way to issue official instructions, laws, or administrative rules.
How It Works
In formal Malaysian Malay, mesti di- is the primary construction for mandatory passive actions. Unlike conversational Malay where one might use kena, this pattern is reserved for high-level documentation.
Key Characteristics:
- Institutional Authority: It implies the requirement comes from a system, law, or organization. In the highest legal register (statutes and acts), you may also encounter hendaklah as the formal equivalent for mandatory requirements.
- Morphology: The prefix di- is attached directly to the verb root without a space (e.g., dihantar).
- Agent and 'Oleh': When the agent (the doer) immediately follows the verb, the preposition oleh is optional (e.g., mesti dihantar kerani). However, if any word or phrase intervenes between the verb and the agent, oleh becomes mandatory (e.g., mesti dihantar dengan segera oleh kerani).
- Agent Restriction: In strict Standard Malay, the di- prefix is used when the 'doer' is a 3rd person. If the 'doer' is 1st or 2nd person, you must use object voice instead.
- Register: This is highly formal. You will see it in employee handbooks, government circulars, and legal contracts.
Examples (4)
- Borang ini mesti dihantar sebelum hari Jumaat.
This form must be submitted before Friday.
Word by Word: Form this must be-submit before day Friday.
A typical administrative requirement using the passive voice to focus on the form.
- Peraturan keselamatan mesti dipatuhi oleh semua pelawat.
Safety regulations must be obeyed by all visitors.
Word by Word: Regulations safety must be-obeyed by all visitors.
Uses 'oleh' to specify the agent (visitors) in a formal safety mandate.
- Lampu mesti dipadamkan selepas digunakan.
Lights must be switched off after being used.
Word by Word: Lights must be-extinguished after be-used.
An official instruction often found on signs in public or office buildings.
- Kata laluan mesti ditukar setiap tiga bulan.
The password must be changed every three months.
Word by Word: Word pass must be-changed every three month.
A technical requirement expressed as a mandatory institutional rule.
Common Mistakes
Adding a space between 'di' and the verb.
Laporan itu mesti di hantar segera.Laporan itu mesti dihantar segera.Learners often confuse the passive prefix 'di-' with the location preposition 'di'. Prefixes must be attached to the verb.
Using 'di-' with 1st or 2nd person agents.
Buku itu mesti dibaca oleh saya.Buku itu mesti saya baca.In formal Malay, 'di-' is for 3rd person agents. For 'I' or 'you', use the object voice (bare verb) instead.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'mesti di-', you first need to know how to express obligation using the modal 'mesti' and how the 'di-' prefix creates a passive verb. This pattern combines those two elements to express that an action is required to be performed on a subject, often in a formal or institutional context where the specific person doing the action is not mentioned.
Related Patterns
- perlu di-Recommended Passive Action
Similar passive construction but indicates a 'need' or recommendation rather than an absolute 'must'.
Level 5 - wajibBinding Obligation with Wajib
A stronger term for obligation, often used for religious or strict legal mandates.
Level 6 - di-Basic Passive with Di-
The foundational passive prefix used in this construction.
Level 2 - dapat di-Formal Possibility Passive
The passive equivalent for 'can be done', often appearing alongside 'mesti di-' in formal texts.
Level 5 - olehPassive Agent with Oleh
Explains the use of 'oleh' to mark the doer in passive sentences, which is optional or mandatory depending on word order.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice mesti di- in Bubblegum
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