In some cases, the affixation process of suffix ‘-kan’ then prefix ‘me-‘ can mean the same as those without the suffix -kan. The suffix does not lend any additional meaning to these verbs, so we can use either form.
For example:
Root: dapat (to get, to obtain)
- You add the suffix -kan: dapat+kan → The verb ‘dapatkan!’ is used for imperatives which means “Get it!”
- The word ‘dapatkan!’ becomes the base word/verb
- In a sentence: Dapatkan Hadiah Menarik! (Usually used in a Marketing Campaign)
- Meaning: Get Interesting Prize!
Root: buat (to make, prepare)
- You add the prefix me: me+dapat → The verb ‘mendapat’ (transitive verb)
- The word ‘mendapat’ becomes the base word/verb
- In a sentence: Nina mendapat hadiah ulang tahun dari teman-temannya.
- Meaning: Nina gets birthday presents from her friends.
Circumfix Process
- The word ‘dapatkan!’ becomes the base word/verb 1
- Add prefix ‘me-‘ → me + n + dapatkan → mendapatkan
- The word ‘membuat’ becomes the base word/verb 2
- Add suffix ‘-kan-‘ → mendapat+kan → mendapatkan
- In a sentence: Nina mendapatkan hadiah ulang tahun dari teman-temannya.
- Meaning: Nina gets birthday presents from her friends.
- It means the same without the suffix -kan. Look at the previous example.