The me- prefix (active verbs)

By Speak Indo, from the Speak Indo Indonesian course.

me- makes a root into an active transitive verb. The form depends on the first letter.

How it works

me- marks an active verb. The prefix assimilates based on the first letter of the root: • root starts with vowel, g, h, k(drop) → meng- (menggoreng, mengikat, mengambil) • root starts with b, f, p(drop), v → mem- (membaca, memakai) • root starts with c, d, j, t(drop), z → men- (mendengar, menulis, from tulis) • root starts with l, m, n, r, w, y → me- (melihat, merasa) • root starts with s(drop) → meny- (menyapu from sapu) Note: letters in parentheses (drop) are deleted.

Examples

• Saya membaca buku.
  I read a book. (baca → membaca)
• Dia menulis surat.
  He/She writes a letter. (tulis → menulis)
• Kami mengambil foto.
  We take a photo. (ambil → mengambil)
• Ibu menyapu lantai.
  Mother sweeps the floor. (sapu → menyapu)