Prefix Variation
me-
How It Works
Prefix me- is used to form active verbs. Prefixing any words with me- would require a minor spelling change (inflection) in order to facilitate a smooth transition in pronunciation. The inflection is based solely on the first letter of the original word(See Formal Grammar chapter)
In daily conversation these words is simplified again by dropping back the prefix me- without changing the word back to the root form.
Examples
| Root Word | Active Verb | Informal | Meaning |
| aso | mengaso | ngaso | rest, take a break |
| antri | mengantri | ngantri | to queu |
| mengantar | nganter | to escort | |
| hitung | menghitung | ngitung | to count |
| sapu | menyapu | nyapu | to sweep |
| sepi | menyepi | nyepi | to be alone, to desolate |
| satu | menyatu | nyatu | to unite, to become one |
| simpan | menyimpan | nyimpan/nyimpen | to keep, to hold on |
| tulis | menulis | nulis | to write |
| cari | mencari | nyari | to look for |
| cuci | menyuci | nyuci | to wash |
| tambah | menambah | nambah | to add |
ke -
How It Works
The prefix ter- forms a word that emphasizes the accidentally of the action. Passive verbs that use the prefix ter- such as 'ter-buka'(meaning: is opened) are mostly nasalized by changing the prefix 'ter' to prefix 'ke' in informal situation. So 'terbuka' will be said in daily conversation as 'kebuka'.
However, it does not apply to all words. We can not change 'ter' to 'ke' in the word 'terluka'(means: wounded). We simply drop the prefix 'ter'. So, 'luka' can have the same meaning as 'terluka'.
Example
| terbuka | kebuka | is opened |
| tertutup | ketutup | is closed |
| terpeleset | kepeleset | is slipped |
| terbakar | kebakar | is burned |
| terpojok | kepojok | is cornered |
| tertawa | ketawa | to laugh |
| tersasar | kesasar | to be lost |