B2 · Upper Intermediate Chapter 47

Advanced Causatives

3 Total Rules
1 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of influence by commanding complex Indonesian causative structures with precision.

  • Construct active causative verbs using the 'memper-' prefix.
  • Formulate passive causative structures using 'diper-'.
  • Analyze multi-layered causative relationships in professional contexts.
Commanding action through the power of prefixes.

What You'll Learn

Covers 'memper-' and 'diper-' structures. Explains complex causative relationships.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Create active causative sentences using 'memper-' to describe increasing or changing states.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Transform active causative actions into passive voice using 'diper-'.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Analyze complex scenarios involving indirect and direct causative relationships.

Tips & Tricks (3)

🎯

The Adjective Shortcut

If you're not sure whether to add '-kan', check if the base is an adjective. If it is, 99% of the time you don't need '-kan'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Memper- Causative
🎯

The Adjective Rule

When using diper- with an adjective, stop there! Don't add -kan. 'Diperbesar' is perfect; 'diperbesarkan' is overkill.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Diper- Causative
💡

Check Transitivity

Always check if the verb is transitive before adding -kan.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Complex Causative Relationships

Key Vocabulary (6)

memperbaiki to repair/improve dipercepat to be accelerated memperluas to expand diperdebatkan to be debated memperkenalkan to introduce diperbolehkan to be permitted

Real-World Preview

briefcase

Corporate Strategy Meeting

Review Summary

  • memper- + root
  • diper- + root
  • Subject + Memper/Diper + Object

Common Mistakes

The prefix 'memper-' already carries the causative meaning; adding '-kan' is redundant.

Wrong: Dia mempercepatkan mobilnya.
Correct: Dia mempercepat mobilnya.

Similar to the first mistake, 'diper-' functions as the causative marker here.

Wrong: Rencana itu diperbesarkan.
Correct: Rencana itu diperbesar.

Passive voice requires the object to be the subject of the sentence.

Wrong: Saya diperbaiki komputer itu.
Correct: Komputer itu diperbaiki oleh saya.

Next Steps

You've tackled some of the most challenging morphology in Indonesian. Keep this momentum going!

Rewrite a news article snippet using causative verbs.

Continue to: Stylistic Variations

Quick Practice (10)

Choose the correct form.

Dia ___ (tanam) bunga di kebun.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: menanami
Locative suffix.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Complex Causative Relationships

Correct the error in this sentence: 'Saya ingin memperkenal teman saya.'

Find and fix the mistake:

Saya ingin memperkenal teman saya.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: memperkenalkan
The verb 'kenal' requires the -kan suffix.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Memper- Causative

Fill in the blank.

Saya ___ (jatuh) buku itu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: menjatuhkan
Needs causative suffix.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Complex Causative Relationships

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Dia mempelajari bahasa Jepang.
The 'r' in memper- changes to 'l' for the base 'ajar'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Memper- Causative

Fill in the blank.

Pemerintah ___ (laku) aturan baru.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: memberlakukan
Causative of laku.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Complex Causative Relationships

Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'baik'.

Mesin yang rusak itu sedang ___ oleh teknisi.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: diperbaiki
The root 'baik' requires the suffix -i with diper- to mean 'to be fixed'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Diper- Causative

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Saya beli dia kopi.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Saya membelikan dia kopi
Needs benefactive suffix.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Complex Causative Relationships

Find the error in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Masalah itu diperumitkan oleh keadaan.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: diperumitkan
It should be 'diperumit'. Adding -kan to the adjective root 'rumit' is redundant.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Diper- Causative

Choose the correct formal form for 'to be enlarged'.

Jalan itu sedang ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: diperbesar
In formal Indonesian, 'diperbesar' is the correct causative passive without the redundant -kan.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Diper- Causative

Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'besar'.

Kita harus ___ (memper-) foto ini agar terlihat jelas.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: memperbesar
Adjectives do not take -kan with memper-.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Memper- Causative

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

This is a unique morphophonemic exception in Indonesian. The 'r' changes to 'l' only for this specific root.
Yes, almost any adjective can take 'memper-' to mean 'to make more [adj]'.
'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).
-kan is for the object, -i is for the location.
No, only with verbs that can be transitive.
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