All verbs with suffix -kan are transitive verbs. The basic function is to make the object as a patient or beneficiary. The suffix -kan can be added to base transitive verbs.
For example:
Root: buka – open
- Create base word with prefix me- → me(m) + buka → membuka – to open
- In a sentence: Saya membuka pintu
- Meaning: I open the door
Add confix to the base word, i.e. prefix me- and suffix -kan simultaneously → membukakan – to open
- In a sentence: Saya membukakan pintu
- Meaning: I open the door.
To make it clearer you can add additional adverb to the sentence.
- In a sentence: Saya membukakan pintu untuk ibu saya.
- Meaning: I open the door for my mother.
In this case ‘pintu‘ is:
- the patient of the action or thing that is manipulated,
- it acted or moved by the action
- it can be regarded as an instrument
Note
Both forms, ‘membuka’ and ‘membukakan’ has similar meaning, thus the suffix -kan is simply required to produce a well-formed verb. There are many intransitive verbs in Indonesian that have the same characteristic as ‘buka’.
In the following examples the object is caused to perform.
Root: darat – land
- Create base word with prefix me- → me(m) + buka → mendarat – to land (intransitive verb)
- In a sentence: Pesawat Garuda GA 724 akan mendarat jam 4 sore.
- Meaning: Garuda flight GA 724 will land at 4pm.
You then add the suffix -kan → mendaratkan – to land
- In a sentence: Setiap pilot harus tahu cara mendaratkan pesawat dalam keadaan darurat.
- Meaning: Every pilot has to know how to land the plane in emergency situation.
In causative verbs the one who carries out the action is expressed by a preposition such as kepada, pada, ke.
For example:
Root: pinjam – borrow
- With prefix me- → me + (p→m) injam → meminjam – to borrow (transitive)
- Saya meminjam buku Nina.
- I borrow Nina’s book.
Add suffix -kan → meminjamkan – to lend
- Saya meminjamkan buku saya kepada Nina.
- I lend my book to Nina.