Suffix '-I'
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The suffix '-i' turns a verb into an action directed at an object or a repeated action.
- Use '-i' to indicate an action done to an object: 'Menciumi' (to kiss someone).
- Use '-i' for repeated actions: 'Memukuli' (to hit repeatedly).
- Use '-i' to indicate a location: 'Menanami' (to plant in a field).
Meanings
The suffix '-i' is an applicative marker in Indonesian that changes the focus of a verb to a specific object or location, or indicates repetition.
Targeting
Directing an action at a specific person or object.
“Dia menciumi foto itu.”
“Ayah menasihati saya.”
Repetition
Doing an action multiple times to the same object.
“Dia memukuli meja itu.”
“Adik menendangi bola.”
Locative
Performing an action on a specific location.
“Petani menanami sawah.”
“Dia mendatangi rumah saya.”
Formation of -i Verbs
| Root | Verb (me-) | Applicative (-i) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| tanam | menanam | menanami | to plant in/on |
| cium | mencium | menciumi | to kiss repeatedly |
| datang | mendatang | mendatangi | to come to/visit |
| pukul | memukul | memukuli | to hit repeatedly |
| tulis | menulis | menulisi | to write on |
| naik | menaiki | menaiki | to climb/board |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Subject + Verb-i + Object | Dia menanami kebun. |
| Negative | Subject + tidak + Verb-i + Object | Dia tidak menanami kebun. |
| Question | Apakah + Subject + Verb-i + Object? | Apakah dia menanami kebun? |
| Repetitive | Verb-i (Reduplicated) | Dia memukuli-mukuli meja. |
| Passive | Object + di-Verb-i + Subject | Kebun ditanami bunga. |
| Imperative | Verb-i + -lah | Tanamilah kebun itu! |
Espectro de formalidad
Petani menanami lahan tersebut. (Gardening)
Dia menanami kebun itu. (Gardening)
Dia tanami kebun itu. (Gardening)
Dia tanami aja kebunnya. (Gardening)
Functions of -i
Targeting
- menciumi kissing repeatedly
Locative
- menanami planting in
Repetitive
- memukuli hitting again
Examples by Level
Dia menanami kebun.
He is planting the garden.
Ibu menciumi adik.
Mother is kissing the younger sibling.
Dia mendatangi saya.
He is coming to me.
Jangan memukuli meja.
Don't hit the table.
Apakah kamu menasihati dia?
Are you advising him?
Dia tidak mengawasi anak itu.
He is not watching that child.
Mereka menaiki gunung itu.
They are climbing that mountain.
Dia memanggil-manggil nama saya.
He is calling my name repeatedly.
Pemerintah meninjau kembali kebijakan itu.
The government is reviewing the policy.
Dia mendalami ilmu bahasa.
He is deepening his knowledge of linguistics.
Polisi mengelilingi gedung itu.
The police are surrounding the building.
Dia menuruti perintah atasan.
He is following the boss's orders.
Perusahaan itu memfasilitasi kebutuhan karyawan.
The company facilitates employee needs.
Dia mengakhiri hubungan itu dengan baik.
He ended the relationship well.
Peneliti mengamati perilaku hewan.
The researcher is observing animal behavior.
Dia membebani saya dengan tugas.
He burdened me with tasks.
Dia mengabaikan peringatan tersebut.
He ignored the warning.
Keputusan ini mendasari kebijakan baru.
This decision underlies the new policy.
Dia menginspirasi banyak orang.
He inspires many people.
Dia mengkhianati kepercayaan saya.
He betrayed my trust.
Dia menelusuri jejak sejarah bangsa.
He is tracing the nation's historical footsteps.
Dia mengarungi samudra luas.
He is sailing the vast ocean.
Dia mengamini pendapat tersebut.
He agrees with that opinion.
Dia menanggulangi krisis ekonomi.
He is overcoming the economic crisis.
Easily Confused
Both are applicative suffixes and often look similar.
Learners forget to add the suffix.
Reduplication also implies repetition.
Errores comunes
Dia menanam kebun.
Dia menanami kebun.
Dia memukul meja.
Dia memukuli meja.
Dia cium saya.
Dia menciumi saya.
Dia datang saya.
Dia mendatangi saya.
Dia menanamkan kebun.
Dia menanami kebun.
Dia memukuli-i meja.
Dia memukuli meja.
Dia menasihatkan saya.
Dia menasihati saya.
Dia mengawasi-kan anak.
Dia mengawasi anak.
Dia mendalami-kan ilmu.
Dia mendalami ilmu.
Dia menuruti-kan perintah.
Dia menuruti perintah.
Dia mengabaikan-i aturan.
Dia mengabaikan aturan.
Dia menginspirasi-kan saya.
Dia menginspirasi saya.
Dia mengkhianati-kan kepercayaan.
Dia mengkhianati kepercayaan.
Sentence Patterns
Saya sedang ___ ___ itu.
Jangan ___ ___ itu!
Dia ___ saya dengan nasihat.
Pemerintah ___ kebijakan tersebut.
Real World Usage
Dia selalu mengomentari foto saya.
Jangan datangi rumah saya.
Saya ingin mendalami bidang ini.
Naiki bus nomor 5.
Dia mengirimi saya makanan.
Polisi mengawasi lokasi kejadian.
Check the target
Don't over-suffix
Listen for repetition
Formal usage
Smart Tips
Use 'menanami' instead of 'menanam'.
Add -i to the verb.
Use 'mendatangi' for 'visit'.
Use 'menasihati' for 'advise'.
Pronunciación
Stress
The stress usually remains on the root verb, not the suffix.
Statement
Dia menanami kebun. ↘
Falling intonation for facts.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '-i' as 'Inside' or 'Into'—it puts the action inside the object or location.
Visual Association
Imagine a gardener (menanam) who is so excited he is planting flowers all over the garden (menanami).
Rhyme
When the action hits the spot, add an -i and you've got it.
Story
Budi was angry. He started hitting the table (memukul). But he didn't stop. He kept hitting it (memukuli). He then went to his garden and planted flowers (menanami).
Word Web
Desafío
Write 3 sentences using -i verbs to describe your daily routine.
Notas culturales
The use of -i is very common in formal Indonesian to show respect and precision.
Similar usage, but sometimes -i is dropped in very casual speech.
Speakers often use -i to emphasize the location of the action.
The -i suffix is an ancient Austronesian applicative marker.
Conversation Starters
Apa yang sedang kamu tanami di kebun?
Siapa yang menasihati kamu hari ini?
Mengapa kamu memukuli meja itu?
Apakah kamu sering mendatangi perpustakaan?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Dia ___ kebun itu dengan bunga.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Dia menanamkan kebun itu.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
He is kissing the baby repeatedly.
Answer starts with: Dia...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Root: datang. Verb-i form?
The -i suffix is used for locative focus.
Score: /8
Ejercicios de practica
8 exercisesDia ___ kebun itu dengan bunga.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Dia menanamkan kebun itu.
kebun / menanami / Dia / bunga / dengan
He is kissing the baby repeatedly.
Match: menanami, memukuli, mendatangi
Root: datang. Verb-i form?
The -i suffix is used for locative focus.
Score: /8
Preguntas frecuentes (8)
'-i' focuses on the location or target, while '-kan' focuses on the object being transferred.
No, it is mostly used with transitive verbs to add a locative or repetitive meaning.
Yes, but it is often dropped or simplified in very casual texting.
Yes, it adds a specific focus on the object or location.
Ask yourself: is the focus on the place (use -i) or the object being moved (use -kan)?
Some verbs have fixed forms where the suffix is mandatory.
No, they are mutually exclusive in this context.
Yes, it is very common in formal news reports for precision.
In Other Languages
Prepositions (en, a)
Indonesian uses morphology (suffixes) where Spanish uses syntax (prepositions).
Prepositions (à, dans)
Indonesian incorporates the relationship into the verb itself.
Prefixes (be-)
German uses prefixes; Indonesian uses suffixes.
Particles (ni, o)
Indonesian uses suffixes to change the verb's meaning.
Verb forms (Form II/IV)
Arabic changes the root structure; Indonesian adds a suffix.
Verb-complement structures
Indonesian uses a single suffix for the same function.
