The Verbal Prefix 'me-'

01

The Variations of 'Me-'

The prefix changes its form to blend smoothly with the sound of the root word.

1. Mem- (for b, f, p, v)

Use mem- when the root word starts with b, f, or v. The root letter remains.

• Saya membeli baju baru.

  I buy a new shirt. (Root: beli)

• Mereka memveto keputusan itu.

  They veto that decision. (Root: veto)

2. Men- (for c, d, j, t, z)

Use men- when the root starts with c, d, j, or z. The root letter remains.

• Dia mencari kuncinya.

  He is looking for his key. (Root: cari)

• Kami menjual mobil.

  We sell the car. (Root: jual)

3. Meng- (for vowels, g, h, k)

Use meng- before vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and the consonants g and h.

• Ibu mengambil air.

  Mother takes water. (Root: ambil)

• Adik menggambar bunga.

  Little sibling draws a flower. (Root: gambar)

• Polisi menghukum pencuri.

  The police punish the thief. (Root: hukum)

4. Meny- (for s)

Use meny- exclusively for words starting with s.

• Kakak menyewa rumah.

  Older sibling rents a house. (Root: sewa)

5. Me- (for l, m, n, r, w, y)

The prefix does not change form (it remains simply me-) when the root word begins with l, m, n, r, w, or y.

• Mereka melarang kami masuk.

  They forbid us from entering. (Root: larang)

• Wanita itu merasa sedih.

  That woman feels sad. (Root: rasa)

6. Menge- (for one-syllable words)

If the root word consists of only one syllable, use menge-. This keeps the short word recognizable.

• Tukang itu mengecat dinding.

  That worker paints the wall. (Root: cat)

• Pasukan mengebom kota.

  The troops bomb the city. (Root: bom)

02

The "Melting" Sounds (K, T, S, P)

A crucial rule for me- is that the letters k, t, s, and p usually "melt" or disappear when the prefix is added. They are replaced by the nasal sound of the prefix.

• K becomes ng: Kirim (send) → Mengirim (NOT Mengkirim).
• T becomes n: Tulis (write) → Menulis (NOT Mentulis).
• S becomes ny: Sapu (sweep) → Menyapu (NOT Menysapu).
• P becomes m: Pakai (wear/use) → Memakai (NOT Mempakai).

• Saya menulis surat.

  I write a letter.

• Dia memakai sepatu hitam.

  He wears black shoes.

Note: This rule generally applies to native root words. Foreign loanwords often retain the original letter (e.g., memproses instead of memroses).

03

Functions of 'Me-' Verbs

While primarily used to indicate an action, the meaning depends on the type of word the prefix is attached to.

1. Creating Transitive Verbs

Most me- verbs are transitive, meaning they require a direct object.

• Saya melihat burung.

  I see a bird.

2. Intransitive Actions

Some me- verbs do not take an object. These often describe bodily actions or sounds.

• Bayi itu menangis.

  That baby cries.

• Kami menyanyi bersama.

  We sing together.

3. Using a Tool or Consuming Something

When attached to a noun, me- can mean "to use X" or "to consume X".

• Kereta itu mendarat.

  That train lands (literally: touches land/darat).

• Ayah mengopi di teras.

  Father drinks coffee (kopi) on the terrace.

4. Becoming a Quality

When attached to an adjective, me- indicates a process of becoming that quality.

• Wajahnya memerah.

  His face turns red (merah).

• Badan anak itu mengecil.

  That child's body is becoming small (kecil).