Transitive Verbs with '-i' — Malay Grammar

The suffix is used to transform root words—which can be verbs, nouns, or adjectives—into transitive verbs. A transitive verb is one that must be followed by a direct object. While the suffix often focuses on moving an object or doing something for someone, the suffix generally focuses on the location, target, or recipient of the action.

Action Directed at a Location

One of the primary functions of is to indicate that the action is applied to a specific place or surface. In these cases, the suffix acts like a built-in preposition, replacing words like "on," "at," "to," or "into." The object of the verb becomes the place where the action happens.

For example, the root means "to sit." If you want to say "sit on the chair," you can use the preposition () or use the suffix to make the chair the direct object ().

Mereka mendaki gunung tertinggi.
They climbed the highest mountain.
Jangan lompati pagar itu.
Do not jump over that fence.
Polisi mendatangi rumah saksi.
The police visited (came to) the witness's house.

Giving or Applying Attributes

When attached to nouns or adjectives, creates a verb meaning "to give X to" or "to apply X to" the object. The object stays stationary, and the quality or item is applied to it.

(salt) becomes (to put salt on/to salt).
(hot) becomes (to apply heat to/to heat up).
(name) becomes (to give a name to).

Ibu menggarami ikan sebelum digoreng.
Mother salts the fish before it is fried.
Tolong panasi sup ini sebentar.
Please heat up this soup for a moment.
Mereka menamai anak mereka Sarah.
They named their child Sarah.

Emotional Direction

Many verbs expressing feelings or mental states use to direct that emotion toward a specific person or thing. Without the suffix, these words function more like adjectives describing a state of mind. With the suffix, they become active transitive verbs directed at a target.

Saya menyukai musik jazz.
I like jazz music.
Kita harus menghormati guru.
We must respect the teacher.
Dia mencintai istrinya.
He loves his wife.

Repetitive or Intensive Actions

In certain contexts, adding indicates that an action is performed repeatedly, intensively, or to multiple objects. This nuance distinguishes a single action from a continuous or multiple one.

For instance, means to hit once. implies hitting repeatedly or beating up. means to take, while suggests picking up many items one by one.

Dia memukuli bantal itu karena marah.
He punched the pillow repeatedly because of anger.
Adik melempari anjing dengan batu.
Little brother threw stones at the dog (repeatedly).
Petani mencabuti rumput liar.
The farmer pulls out wild weeds (many weeds).

Distinguishing '-i' from '-kan'

The difference between and is a core concept in grammar. Generally, moves the object, while applies the action to a stationary object (the recipient or location).

Consider the root (send):

focuses on the object being moved. You send the letter ().
focuses on the recipient. You send to the person ().

Dia mengirimi saya uang.
He sent me money. (Focus on "me" as the recipient).
Dia mengirimkan uang kepada saya.
He sent money to me. (Focus on "money" as the object moving).

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