Lesson 1 of 620 min · 200 XP
Complex Sentence Structures
Struktur Kalimat Kompleks
Master affixes, passive voice, and compound sentences.
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Introduction
Indonesian uses an elaborate system of prefixes and suffixes (affixes) that change a word's meaning and grammatical function. Mastering these unlocks fluency!
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The Me- Prefix (Active)
Adding "me-" to a base verb creates an active transitive verb. The form changes based on the first letter of the root: me+beli=membeli (to buy), me+tulis=menulis (to write), me+cari=mencari (to look for), me+dapat=mendapat (to get).
📝Common Me- Verbs
Membeli/mem-beh-lee/
To buy (active)
Saya membeli buku baru kemarin. — I bought a new book yesterday.
Menulis/meh-noo-lis/
To write (active)
Dia menulis laporan setiap minggu. — She writes a report every week.
Membaca/mem-bah-chah/
To read (active)
Mereka membaca koran pagi ini. — They read the newspaper this morning.
Mengambil/meng-ahm-bil/
To take (active)
Tolong ambilkan saya air minum. — Please get me some drinking water.
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Di- Prefix (Passive Voice)
Adding "di-" creates the passive voice. "Saya membeli buku" (I buy a book) becomes "Buku dibeli oleh saya" (The book is bought by me). The passive is very common in formal Indonesian!
💬Active vs Passive Examples
Aktif: Ani memakan kue itu.
Active: Ani ate that cake.
Subject performs the action
Pasif: Kue itu dimakan oleh Ani.
Passive: That cake was eaten by Ani.
Object becomes subject
Aktif: Pemerintah membangun jembatan baru.
Active: The government built a new bridge.
Pasif: Jembatan baru dibangun oleh pemerintah.
Passive: A new bridge was built by the government.
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