Suffix '-Kan'
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The '-kan' suffix turns intransitive verbs into transitive ones, meaning you are doing an action to or for something.
- Turns intransitive verbs transitive: 'Jalan' (walk) -> 'Jalankan' (to operate/run a machine).
- Indicates benefactive action: 'Beli' (buy) -> 'Belikan' (buy for someone).
- Used for causative actions: 'Bangun' (wake up) -> 'Bangunkan' (to wake someone else up).
Meanings
The suffix '-kan' is a productive verbal suffix in Indonesian used to create transitive verbs, indicating that an action is performed on an object or for the benefit of someone.
Transitive/Causative
Making an action affect an object.
“Dia menjalankan mobil itu.”
“Tolong matikan lampu.”
Benefactive
Doing an action for someone else.
“Belikan saya kopi.”
“Buatkan dia surat.”
Basic -kan Conjugation
| Root | Active (Me-) | Transitive (-kan) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| ambil | mengambil | ambilkan | take for |
| buka | membuka | bukakan | open for |
| tulis | menulis | tuliskan | write down |
| bawa | membawa | bawakan | bring for |
| mati | mematikan | matikan | turn off |
| bangun | membangunkan | bangunkan | wake up |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Root + kan | Ambilkan saya air |
| Negative | Jangan + Root + kan | Jangan ambilkan itu |
| Interrogative | Bisakah + Root + kan | Bisakah ambilkan air? |
| Passive | di + Root + kan | Air diambilkan oleh saya |
| Causative | me + Root + kan | Dia membangunkan saya |
| Benefactive | Root + kan | Belikan dia kopi |
طيف الرسمية
Mohon bawakan buku itu kepada saya. (Requesting an item)
Tolong bawakan buku itu. (Requesting an item)
Bawain bukunya dong. (Requesting an item)
Bawain bukunya ya! (Requesting an item)
The -kan Suffix Functions
Function
- Transitive Direct action
- Benefactive For someone
- Causative Make happen
Examples by Level
Ambilkan saya air.
Get me some water.
Tolong bukakan pintu.
Please open the door.
Matikan lampu itu.
Turn off that light.
Belikan saya roti.
Buy me bread.
Dia membangunkan saya pagi ini.
He woke me up this morning.
Bisakah kamu carikan kunci saya?
Can you look for my key?
Tolong tuliskan alamatnya.
Please write down the address.
Jangan jatuhkan gelas itu.
Don't drop that glass.
Perusahaan itu menjalankan proyek baru.
The company is running a new project.
Dia menjelaskan masalahnya dengan jelas.
He explained the problem clearly.
Saya akan kirimkan dokumennya besok.
I will send the document tomorrow.
Mereka mendirikan sekolah ini tahun lalu.
They established this school last year.
Pemerintah menetapkan aturan baru.
The government set new rules.
Dia memikirkan masa depannya.
He is thinking about his future.
Tindakan ini membahayakan banyak orang.
This action endangers many people.
Dia menyebarkan berita bohong.
He is spreading fake news.
Dia mengabaikan peringatan tersebut.
He ignored the warning.
Keputusan ini menguntungkan pihak kami.
This decision benefits our side.
Dia mengutarakan pendapatnya dengan tegas.
He expressed his opinion firmly.
Pihak berwenang membatalkan acara itu.
The authorities cancelled the event.
Dia mengibaratkan hidup seperti perjalanan.
He likened life to a journey.
Peristiwa itu menyadarkan dia akan realitas.
That event made him realize the reality.
Dia mengedepankan kepentingan rakyat.
He prioritized the people's interests.
Dia menanggalkan jabatannya.
He resigned from his position.
Easily Confused
Both are transitive suffixes.
Both relate to active verbs.
Both end in -an.
أخطاء شائعة
Saya ambil air.
Saya ambilkan air untuk dia.
Tolong buka pintu.
Tolong bukakan pintu.
Matikan lampu.
Matikan lampu.
Beli saya kopi.
Belikan saya kopi.
Dia bangunkan saya.
Dia membangunkan saya.
Tuliskan surat.
Tulis surat.
Jatuhkan gelas.
Jangan jatuhkan gelas.
Menjalani proyek.
Menjalankan proyek.
Menjelasi masalah.
Menjelaskan masalah.
Mendirikan sekolah.
Mendirikan sekolah.
Mengabaikan.
Mengabaikan.
Menguntungkan.
Menguntungkan.
Mengutarakan.
Mengutarakan.
Sentence Patterns
Tolong ___ saya ___.
Dia sedang ___ ___ itu.
Bisakah kamu ___ ___ untuk saya?
Keputusan ini ___ ___ kami.
Real World Usage
Tolong ambilkan menu.
Bawain ya!
Tolong kerjakan laporan ini.
Tolong carikan hotel.
Bagikan postingan ini.
Belikan saya nasi goreng.
Listen for the -kan
Don't over-suffix
Use it for politeness
Regional variations
Smart Tips
Always add -kan to the verb to sound polite.
Use -kan to show you are actively working on it.
Use -kan to direct the explanation to the listener.
Use -kan to make the instruction clear and direct.
النطق
Suffix stress
The stress usually remains on the root verb, not the suffix.
Request
Bawakan saya air? ↑
Rising intonation indicates a polite request.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '-kan' as a 'CAN' opener—it opens up the verb to a new object.
Visual Association
Imagine a person handing a gift to someone else. The gift is the object, and the '-kan' is the hand reaching out.
Rhyme
When you want to help a friend, add -kan to the verb's end.
Story
Budi wanted coffee. He said 'Beli' (buy). But he needed it for his friend. So he added '-kan' and said 'Belikan'. Now his friend is happy and the coffee is bought.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
For the next 5 minutes, try to turn every verb you think of into a '-kan' form and imagine who you are doing it for.
ملاحظات ثقافية
Using '-kan' in requests is seen as polite and standard.
Often uses '-ke' instead of '-kan' in informal speech.
Often shortens '-kan' to '-in'.
The '-kan' suffix evolved from the Proto-Austronesian causative marker.
Conversation Starters
Bisakah kamu ambilkan saya minum?
Apa yang sedang kamu kerjakan?
Bagaimana cara menjelaskan ini kepada bos?
Mengapa kamu memutuskan untuk pergi?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Tolong ___ (bawa) buku itu ke sini.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Jangan buka pintu itu.
Saya beli kopi untuk dia. -> Saya ___ kopi untuk dia.
-kan is used for nouns.
A: Tolong ___ (tulis) alamatnya. B: Baik.
dia / menjalankan / proyek / itu
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
تمارين تطبيقية
8 exercisesTolong ___ (bawa) buku itu ke sini.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Jangan buka pintu itu.
Saya beli kopi untuk dia. -> Saya ___ kopi untuk dia.
-kan is used for nouns.
A: Tolong ___ (tulis) alamatnya. B: Baik.
dia / menjalankan / proyek / itu
bawa -> ?
Score: /8
الأسئلة الشائعة (8)
No, only with verbs that can be transitive.
It is neutral and used in all registers.
You might sound less natural, but you will still be understood.
-kan is for objects, -i is for location.
Yes, the suffix remains the same.
Yes, it is standard in all written Indonesian.
It is a common informal/regional variation.
Yes, it makes it transitive.
In Other Languages
Indirect objects (le/les)
Indonesian uses a suffix, Spanish uses a pronoun.
Prepositional phrases (pour)
Indonesian integrates the beneficiary into the verb.
Dative case
Indonesian is an agglutinative language.
Te-form + ageru
Indonesian uses a single suffix.
Verb patterns (Form II/IV)
Indonesian uses suffixes.
Prepositions (gei)
Indonesian is suffix-based.
