Benefactive '-kan' (Doing for someone)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The '-kan' suffix turns a verb into an action performed for someone else or with a specific object.
- Add -kan to indicate you are doing the action for someone: 'Belikan' (Buy for).
- Use -kan to make a verb transitive: 'Jalan' (walk) becomes 'Jalankan' (to execute/run a program).
- The suffix -kan shifts the focus to the object being affected by the action.
Verb to Benefactive/Transitive
| Root Verb | Meaning | With -kan | New Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
beli
|
buy
|
belikan
|
buy for
|
|
ambil
|
take
|
ambilkan
|
fetch for
|
|
baca
|
read
|
bacakan
|
read to
|
|
tunjuk
|
show
|
tunjukkan
|
show to
|
|
jalan
|
walk
|
jalankan
|
execute/run
|
|
henti
|
stop
|
hentikan
|
cause to stop
|
Meanings
The suffix '-kan' is a causative or benefactive marker that transforms base verbs into transitive verbs, often implying the action is done for the benefit of another or directed toward a specific object.
Benefactive
Doing an action for the benefit of someone else.
“Dia masakkan saya nasi.”
“Tolong ambilkan buku itu.”
Causative/Transitive
Making something happen or directing an action at an object.
“Jalankan enjin itu.”
“Hentikan perbuatan itu.”
Directional
Directing an action toward a specific target.
“Lemparkan bola itu ke sini.”
“Hantarkan surat ini.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Root + kan
|
Belikan saya kopi.
|
|
Negative
|
Jangan + Root + kan
|
Jangan belikan saya kopi.
|
|
Question
|
Root + kan + kah?
|
Belikankah dia kopi?
|
|
Passive
|
di + Root + kan
|
Kopi dibelikan olehnya.
|
|
Active
|
me + Root + kan
|
Dia membelikan saya kopi.
|
Formality Spectrum
Sila belikan saya minuman. (Ordering a drink)
Belikan saya minuman. (Ordering a drink)
Belikan aku air. (Ordering a drink)
Beli air jap. (Ordering a drink)
The -kan Effect
Benefactive
- belikan buy for
Causative
- jalankan make run
Examples by Level
Belikan saya air.
Buy me water.
Ambilkan buku itu.
Fetch that book.
Tolong bukakan pintu.
Please open the door.
Masakkan saya nasi.
Cook me rice.
Boleh awak tunjukkan jalan?
Can you show me the way?
Dia hantarkan surat itu.
He sent that letter.
Jangan jatuhkan pasu itu.
Don't drop that vase.
Dia berikan saya hadiah.
He gave me a gift.
Sila jalankan prosedur ini.
Please execute this procedure.
Dia carikan saya kerja.
He looked for a job for me.
Tolong jelaskan maksudnya.
Please explain the meaning.
Mereka dirikan bangunan itu.
They built that building.
Pihak pengurusan akan umumkan keputusan itu.
Management will announce the decision.
Dia buktikan kesalahannya.
He proved his mistake.
Kita perlu tingkatkan kualiti.
We need to increase quality.
Dia sedarkan saya tentang bahaya itu.
He made me aware of the danger.
Dia realisasikan impiannya.
He realized his dream.
Keputusan itu merugikan syarikat.
That decision caused a loss to the company.
Dia memaparkan data tersebut.
He displayed the data.
Tindakan itu memalukan keluarga.
That action shamed the family.
Beliau mengemukakan hujah yang bernas.
He presented a brilliant argument.
Peristiwa itu menyedarkan masyarakat.
That event awakened society.
Dia mengabaikan nasihat tersebut.
He ignored the advice.
Pihak berkuasa menguatkuasakan undang-undang.
Authorities enforced the law.
Easily Confused
Both are transitive suffixes.
Learners often use the base verb where -kan is required.
Me- is a prefix, -kan is a suffix.
Common Mistakes
Beli saya air
Belikan saya air
Ambil saya buku
Ambilkan saya buku
Buka pintu saya
Bukakan saya pintu
Masak saya nasi
Masakkan saya nasi
Tunjuk jalan saya
Tunjukkan saya jalan
Hantar surat itu
Hantarkan surat itu
Jatuh pasu itu
Jatuhkan pasu itu
Jalan enjin
Jalankan enjin
Henti perbuatan itu
Hentikan perbuatan itu
Jelas maksudnya
Jelaskan maksudnya
Realisi impian
Realisasikan impian
Rugi syarikat
Merugikan syarikat
Sentence Patterns
Tolong ___ saya ___.
Boleh awak ___ ___ itu?
Saya perlu ___ ___ ini.
Dia ___ ___ saya tentang ___.
Real World Usage
Tolong belikan sayur.
Sila jalankan tugas.
Ambilkan saya air.
Tunjukkan jalan.
Hantarkan ke rumah.
Jelaskan maksudnya.
Think 'For'
Don't over-suffix
Combine with 'Tolong'
Politeness
Smart Tips
Always add -kan to the verb.
Use -kan to make the verb transitive.
Use -kan for 'explain'.
Use -kan for 'send'.
Pronunciation
Suffix stress
The stress usually remains on the root, not the -kan suffix.
Request
Belikan saya air? ↑
Rising intonation for polite requests.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Kan you do it for me? Just add -kan!
Visual Association
Imagine a waiter bringing a tray. The tray is the -kan suffix, carrying the action to the person.
Rhyme
When you want to help a friend, add -kan at the verb's end.
Story
Ali wanted to buy a gift. He asked his friend, 'Tolong belikan saya hadiah.' His friend agreed, 'Saya akan belikan.' Ali was happy.
Word Web
Challenge
Ask a friend or teacher to 'tolong ambilkan' (fetch) three different items today.
Cultural Notes
Very common in daily life for polite requests.
Similar usage, often used in formal contexts.
Often used with specific local particles.
The -kan suffix evolved from a preposition meaning 'to' or 'towards'.
Conversation Starters
Boleh awak belikan saya kopi?
Tolong tunjukkan jalan ke stesen.
Boleh awak jelaskan projek ini?
Bagaimana cara jalankan program ini?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Tolong ___ (beli) saya kopi.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Dia tunjuk saya jalan.
Dia baca buku.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
saya / kopi / belikan / tolong
Jalan + -kan = ?
-kan is always used for location.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesTolong ___ (beli) saya kopi.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Dia tunjuk saya jalan.
Dia baca buku.
Beli -> ?
saya / kopi / belikan / tolong
Jalan + -kan = ?
-kan is always used for location.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
No, only when the action is directed or benefactive.
Most transitive verbs, yes.
The sentence might sound incomplete or rude.
It is neutral and used everywhere.
-kan is for objects, -i is for location.
Yes, with 'jangan'.
Yes, very common in formal writing.
Yes, it adds a benefactive or causative sense.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Indirect object pronouns
Malay uses a suffix; Spanish uses a pronoun.
Prepositions
Malay incorporates the 'for' into the verb.
Dative case
Malay uses a fixed suffix.
Te-form + ageru
Malay is a single word.
Verb form II
Malay uses a suffix.
Preposition 'gei'
Malay uses a suffix.
