Diper- Causative
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The prefix `diper-` turns a root into a passive action meaning 'to be made more' or 'to be treated as'.
- Use `diper-` + Adjective to mean 'to be made more [adj]', like `diperbesar` (to be enlarged).
- Use `diper-` + Noun to mean 'to be treated as [noun]', like `diperbudak` (to be enslaved).
- Avoid adding `-kan` to adjectives with `diper-` unless you mean 'to cause to be', though it's often redundant.
Meanings
The prefix `diper-` is the passive form of the causative prefix `memper-`. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is undergoing a process to change its state or is being regarded/treated in a specific manner by an agent.
Causative of Adjectives
To be made more of a certain quality. This is the most common usage in academic and formal Indonesian.
“Jalan raya ini sedang diperlebar oleh pemerintah.”
“Foto itu diperkecil agar muat di dalam bingkai.”
Treatment as Noun
To be treated as or regarded as the noun root.
“Dia merasa diperbudak oleh perusahaannya sendiri.”
“Gadis itu diperistri oleh seorang bangsawan.”
Application of Noun
To be provided with or equipped with the noun root (often used with -i or -kan).
“Pasukan itu diperlengkap dengan senjata modern.”
“Ruangan ini diperindah dengan lukisan-lukisan mahal.”
Formation of Diper- Verbs
| Root Type | Root Word | Prefix | Resulting Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjective | Besar (Big) | diper- | Diperbesar | To be enlarged |
| Adjective | Kecil (Small) | diper- | Diperkecil | To be made smaller |
| Adjective | Cepat (Fast) | diper- | Dipercepat | To be accelerated |
| Noun | Budak (Slave) | diper- | Diperbudak | To be enslaved |
| Noun | Alat (Tool) | diper- | Diperalat | To be manipulated |
| Verb | Kenal (Know) | diper- -kan | Diperkenalkan | To be introduced |
| Verb | Lihat (See) | diper- -kan | Diperlihatkan | To be shown |
| Adjective | Baik (Good) | diper- -i | Diperbaiki | To be improved/fixed |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | S + diper-root | Jalan diperlebar. |
| Negative | S + tidak + diper-root | Masalah tidak diperumit. |
| Interrogative | Apakah + S + diper-root? | Apakah foto diperkecil? |
| With Agent | S + diper-root + oleh + Agent | Data diperbarui oleh admin. |
| Future | S + akan + diper-root | Gedung akan diperindah. |
| Past | S + sudah + diper-root | Kualitas sudah diperbaiki. |
| Passive Causative (Noun) | S + diper-noun | Dia diperbudak harta. |
| Passive Causative (Adj) | S + diper-adj | Skala diperkecil. |
Formalitätsspektrum
Jalan raya tersebut sedang diperlebar oleh pemerintah. (Infrastructure)
Jalannya lagi diperlebar. (Infrastructure)
Jalannya lagi digedein. (Infrastructure)
Jalannya lagi dibikin lebar banget. (Infrastructure)
The World of Diper-
Adjectives (State Change)
- diperbesar enlarged
- diperkecil shrunk
- dipercepat speeded up
Nouns (Treatment)
- diperbudak enslaved
- diperalat used as a tool
Active vs. Passive Causative
Choosing the Right Prefix
Is the subject doing the action?
Is the subject being made 'more' of something?
Examples by Level
Foto ini diperkecil.
This photo is made smaller.
Jalan itu diperbesar.
That road is made bigger.
Buku ini diperbaiki.
This book is fixed.
Nama saya diperkenalkan.
My name is introduced.
Masalah ini harus diperjelas.
This problem must be clarified.
Rumah itu sedang diperindah.
That house is being beautified.
Jadwalnya dipercepat.
The schedule was moved earlier (speeded up).
Dia diperlakukan dengan baik.
He is treated well.
Kualitas produk ini perlu diperbaiki lagi.
The quality of this product needs to be improved again.
Ruang lingkup penelitian diperluas.
The scope of the research was expanded.
Dia merasa diperalat oleh temannya.
He feels used (as a tool) by his friend.
Informasi tersebut diperbarui secara otomatis.
That information is updated automatically.
Konflik tersebut diperparah oleh berita bohong.
The conflict was worsened by fake news.
Ketentuan ini tidak boleh dipermainkan.
This regulation must not be trifled with.
Pentingnya pendidikan harus dipertegas dalam rapat.
The importance of education must be emphasized in the meeting.
Kesenjangan sosial semakin diperlebar oleh pandemi.
Social inequality is being further widened by the pandemic.
Kedudukan beliau diperkokoh dengan dukungan rakyat.
His position was strengthened by the people's support.
Makna teks tersebut diperdebatkan oleh para ahli.
The meaning of the text is debated by experts.
Jangan biarkan diri Anda diperbudak oleh ambisi.
Do not let yourself be enslaved by ambition.
Sistem keamanan diperketat menjelang hari raya.
The security system was tightened approaching the holiday.
Nuansa puitis dalam sajak itu diperkental dengan diksi yang arkais.
The poetic nuance in that poem was thickened with archaic diction.
Eksistensi lembaga itu dipermasalahkan karena kurangnya transparansi.
The existence of that institution was called into question due to a lack of transparency.
Wewenang presiden dipersempit melalui amandemen undang-undang.
The president's authority was narrowed through constitutional amendments.
Citra perusahaan diperburuk oleh skandal korupsi yang mencuat.
The company's image was worsened by the emerging corruption scandal.
Easily Confused
Learners often use 'di-' when 'diper-' is more appropriate for expressing an increase in quality.
Adding -kan to adjective roots is a common redundancy error.
Ter- can also be passive, but it's often accidental or state-based.
Häufige Fehler
Saya diperbesar foto.
Foto diperbesar oleh saya.
Dia diper-makan.
Dia diberi makan.
Rumah diper-bagus.
Rumah diperindah.
Diper-kecil itu.
Itu diperkecil.
Jalan diperbesarkan.
Jalan diperbesar.
Dia diperistrikan.
Dia diperistri.
Saya diperkenalkan dia.
Saya diperkenalkan kepada dia.
Masalah diper-sulit.
Masalah diperumit.
Kualitas diperbaikkan.
Kualitas diperbaiki.
Dia diperalat oleh saya.
Dia saya peralat.
Data diperbaru.
Data diperbarui.
Makna diperdalamkan.
Makna diperdalam.
Dia diperhambakan.
Dia diperhamba.
Isu itu dipermasalahkan oleh kami.
Isu itu kami permasalahkan.
Sentence Patterns
___ harus segera diper___ agar ___.
Dia merasa diper___ oleh ___.
Kualitas ___ sedang diper___ oleh ___.
Jangan biarkan ___ diper___ oleh ___.
Real World Usage
Anggaran Pertahanan Diperbesar Tahun Depan.
Fotonya diperkecil aja biar gak berat.
Saya ingin sistem kerja di sini diperbaiki.
Jangan mau diperalat sama netizen!
Data penelitian ini diperdalam dengan wawancara.
Jalan sedang diperlebar, harap hati-hati.
The Adjective Rule
Passive Type 2
Social Sensitivity
Formal Polish
Smart Tips
Always reach for 'diper-' first. It's the most precise and professional way to express this.
Remember: 'Diper-' is already the engine. You don't need the extra '-kan' trailer for adjectives.
Use 'diperalat' (used as a tool) or 'diperbudak' (enslaved) for strong impact.
Use 'diperoleh' instead of 'didapat' for 'obtained'. It sounds much more academic.
Aussprache
Prefix Stress
The stress in Indonesian usually falls on the penultimate syllable of the root, not the prefix. In 'diperbesar', the stress is on 'be-'.
The 'r' sound
The 'r' in 'per' is a trill or a tap. Ensure it is clearly pronounced before the root.
Declarative
Jalan diperlebar. (Falling intonation at the end)
Stating a fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
D-I-P-E-R: Done In Passive, Enhanced Result. Think of something being 'upgraded' or 'changed' in the passive voice.
Visual Association
Imagine a small photo being stretched out by invisible hands. The photo is 'diperbesar'. Or imagine a person being treated like a robot; they are 'diperalat'.
Rhyme
If you want to make it more, diper- is the prefix you're looking for!
Story
A king wanted his palace to be more beautiful. He ordered it to be 'diperindah'. He wanted the walls to be stronger, so they were 'diperkokoh'. He wanted the process to be faster, so it was 'dipercepat'.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Look around your room. Find three things that could be 'improved' or 'changed'. Write them down using diper-. E.g., 'Lampu ini harus diperterang' (This lamp should be made brighter).
Kulturelle Hinweise
In Indonesian government documents, 'diper-' is ubiquitous. It reflects a formal, impersonal tone that is highly valued in official communication.
Using 'diperbudak' or 'diperalat' carries heavy historical and social weight in Indonesia, often used in political rhetoric to describe the struggle of the common people (rakyat kecil).
When introducing someone in a formal setting, 'diperkenalkan' is the standard polite form, showing respect to the person being introduced.
The prefix 'diper-' is derived from the combination of the passive marker 'di-' and the causative/intensive prefix 'per-'.
Conversation Starters
Apakah menurutmu kurikulum sekolah perlu diperbaiki?
Pernahkah kamu merasa diperalat oleh seseorang?
Mengapa banyak jalan di kota ini sedang diperlebar?
Bagaimana cara agar hubungan antarnegara dipererat?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Jalan itu sedang ___.
Mesin yang rusak itu sedang ___ oleh teknisi.
Find and fix the mistake:
Masalah itu diperumitkan oleh keadaan.
Pemerintah memperluas area parkir.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: Kenapa fotonya tidak jelas? B: Karena fotonya ___ terlalu banyak.
The prefix 'diper-' is the passive form of 'memper-'.
Select the correct one:
Score: /8
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesJalan itu sedang ___.
Mesin yang rusak itu sedang ___ oleh teknisi.
Find and fix the mistake:
Masalah itu diperumitkan oleh keadaan.
Pemerintah memperluas area parkir.
1. Kecil, 2. Budak, 3. Istri
A: Kenapa fotonya tidak jelas? B: Karena fotonya ___ terlalu banyak.
The prefix 'diper-' is the passive form of 'memper-'.
Select the correct one:
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
'Dibesarkan' often means 'to be raised' (like a child), while 'diperbesar' specifically means 'to be made larger' in size or scale.
No, 'diper-' is primarily used with adjectives (to increase quality) and nouns (to show treatment). It only works with specific verb roots like 'kenal' (diperkenalkan).
In formal 'Bahasa Baku', yes. The '-kan' is redundant because 'diper-' already means 'to make'. Just use 'diperbesar'.
'Diperbaiki' is more formal and implies improvement or restoration, while 'dibetulkan' is more neutral and simply means 'to be corrected'.
Usually, yes, when used with adjectives. It indicates an increase in the degree of that adjective.
It is less common in casual speech, where people prefer 'dibuat lebih...' or simple 'di- -kan'. However, it is very common in news and formal settings.
It is a formal/literary way to say 'to be taken as a wife'.
You use 'diperkecil'.
In Other Languages
to be made + adjective / -en suffix
Indonesian uses a prefix, while English often uses a helper verb or a suffix.
hacerse / ser + participio
Spanish relies on periphrastic constructions (multiple words).
ver- + adjective + -t (passive)
German still requires a passive auxiliary verb (werden).
〜させられる (-saserareru)
Japanese is suffix-based and often implies coercion.
Form II or IV Passive
Arabic uses root patterns rather than prefixes.
被 (bèi) + 使 (shǐ) / 让 (ràng)
Chinese uses separate words for passive and causative.
