In few cases the suffix -kan with verb bases and prefix me- verbs are used in the same way as ‘ber-‘ verbs; that is, intransitively.
Root: kata (word)
- You add the suffix -kan: kata+kan → The verb ‘katakan!’ is used for imperatives which means “Say it!”
- The word ‘katakan!’ becomes the base word/verb
- In a sentence: Katakan sekarang saja.
- Meaning: Just say it now!
- You add the prefix me: me + ng + (k is dropped)ata + kan → The verb ‘mengatakan’ (transitive verb)
- In a sentence: Dia mengatakan ini salah.
- Meaning: He/She says this is wrong
Mengatakan can be replaced with berkata. (prefix ber- + kata)
- In a sentence: Dia berkata ini salah.
- Meaning: He/She says this is wrong
The following suffix -i with verb bases and prefix me- also have intransitive counterparts.
Root: bohong (to lie)
- You add the prefix me-: me+m+bohong → membohong. to lie
- The word ‘membohong’ becomes the base word/verb
- In a sentence: Dia sering membohong.
- Meaning: He/She often lies.
- You add the suffix -i: membohong + i (transitive verb)
- In a sentence: Dia sering membohongi saya.
- Meaning: He/She often lies to me.
Membohongi can be replaced with berbohong. (prefix ber- + kata)
- In a sentence: Dia sering berbohong.
- Meaning: He/She often lies.
- In a sentence: Dia sering berbohong pada saya.
- Meaning: He/She often lies to me.