An intransitive verb does not have an object. A compound intransitive verb in Indonesian language takes the form of a phrase. It usually consists of two words. Grammatically, the phrase is a single unit. That unit functions exactly like an ordinary intransitive verb.
For example:
- gosok gigi – to brush one’s teeth
- Saya belum gosok gigi.
- I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.
- terima telepon – to answer the phone
- Hari ini pimpinan saya tidak mau terima telepon.
- Today my boss doesn’t want to take any calls.
- main tenis (also often bermain tenis) – to play tennis
- Hobi mereka main tenis.
- Their hobby is playing tennis.
At first glance it might seem as if the words gigi, telpon and tenis are objects. And that these words – gosok, terima and main – must be transitive verbs. But in fact the me- prefix, that marks subject focus transitive verbs, only rarely appears attached to the front of these phrases.
For instance, (meng-) gosok gigi and (me-[t-n]) elpon.
In every respect these phrases behave as if they were intransitive verbs.
Other such compound intransitive verbs are:
- berganti pakaian
- to get changed (of clothes)
- Saya selalu berganti pakaian sehabis bekerja.
- I always get changed (of clothes) after work.
In the above sentence we have compound intransitive verb: berganti pakaian and intransitive verb: bekerja.
- mengisi bensin
- to fill up (the tank of a motor vehicle with petrol/gasoline)
- Setiap Senin saya mengisi bensin.
- Every Monday I fill up (the tank of a motor vehicle with petrol/gasoline).
Compounds involving merasa and menjadi probably also belong to this category too.
Example 1
Saya merasa sakit. (I feel ill).
Rasa sakit is a compound base form. So, the whole phrase merasa sakit behaves exactly like an intransitive verb.
Example 2
Dia menjadi guru. (She is a teacher)
Jadi guru seems to be a compound base form. The word ‘jadi’ governed by theme N- prefix. So, the whole phrase menjadi guru behaves exactly like an intransitive verb.