Transitive Verbs with '-i'

01

Indicating Location or Direction

The most common use of -i is to mark the direct object as the place where the action occurs. In this context, the suffix acts like a built-in preposition (such as "to", "at", or "on"), so you do not need to add extra prepositions after the verb.

For example, the base word datang means "to come". By adding -i to make mendatangi, the meaning changes to "to come to" or "to visit".

• Polisi mendatangi tempat kejadian.

  The police came to the scene.

• Jangan duduki meja itu.

  Do not sit on that table.

• Banyak turis mengunjungi pulau ini.

  Many tourists visit this island.

02

Applying a Quality (Causative)

When attached to adjectives, -i indicates that the subject is applying a certain quality to the object. It means "to make something [adjective]" or "to give [noun] to".

• Tolong lengkapi dokumen ini.

  Please complete this form.

• Ibu memanasi sup ayam.

  Mother heats up the chicken soup.

• Kita harus menghormati guru.

  We must respect the teacher.

03

Repetitive or Intensive Actions

With certain verbs involving physical motion, the -i suffix indicates that the action is performed repeatedly, intensely, or involves multiple objects. This distinguishes it from the base verb which might imply a single action.

• Dia memukuli bantal itu.

  He punched the pillow repeatedly.

• Mereka melempari kami dengan batu.

  They threw stones at us (repeatedly).

04

Difference between '-i' and '-kan'

Both -i and -kan are transitive suffixes, but they focus on different aspects of the action.

• Focus on the Recipient (-i): The object following a verb ending in -i is usually the recipient or the location that stays still while something comes to it.
• Focus on the Object Moved (-kan): The object following a verb ending in -kan is usually the thing being moved or given.

Compare these two examples using the root kirim (send):

• Saya mengirimi pacar saya bunga.

  I sent my girlfriend flowers. (Focus on the recipient: girlfriend)

• Saya mengirimkan bunga kepada pacar saya.

  I sent flowers to my girlfriend. (Focus on the item moved: flowers)

Another classic example involves planting:

• Petani menanami sawah.

  The farmer plants the field. (The field is the location receiving the plants)

• Petani menanamkan padi.

  The farmer plants rice. (The rice is the object being put into the ground)