Language/Malay-individual-language/Grammar/Causative-Verbs
Hello and Selamat Datang (welcome) to the "Complete 0 to A1 Malay (individual language) Course". I am your Malay language teacher, and I have been teaching Malay for 20 years. In this intermediate structures lesson, we will be discussing causative verbs in Malay, including formation and usage.
What are Causative Verbs?
Causative verbs are verbs that express a cause-and-effect relationship. In other words, they show that the subject is making someone or something do something or causing something to happen. For example, the English causative verb "make" is used to indicate that the subject is causing or forcing someone or something to do something. In Malay, causative verbs are formed by using the suffix "-kan" after the verb base.
Formation of Causative Verbs in Malay
To form a causative verb in Malay, simply add the suffix "-kan" to the verb's base form. Here are some examples:
| Malay (individual language) | English | Causative Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Makan | Eat | Makan-kan |
| Cuci | Wash | Cuci-kan |
| Buat | Do | Buat-kan |
| Baca | Read | Baca-kan |
Usage of Causative Verbs in Malay
Causative verbs in Malay are used in many everyday situations. Here are some examples:
- Requesting someone to do something: In Malay, causative verbs are commonly used to express requests or orders. For example, "Sila makan" means "Please eat," while "Sila makan-kan" means "Please have someone eat."
- Expressing the cause of an action: Causative verbs can also be used to show the reason behind an action. For example, "Dia menangis" means "He/she cries," while "Dia menangiskan saya" means "He/she made me cry."
- Describing accidental actions: Causative verbs can be used to describe accidental actions. For example, "Dia jatuh" means "He/she falls," while "Dia menjatuhkan gelas" means "He/she accidentally drops the glass."
Important Points to Note
Here are some important points to note when using causative verbs in Malay:
- When using causative verbs with human subjects, "meng-" is typically added to the verb base. For example, "Dia membuka pintu" means "He/she opens the door," while "Dia membolehkan saya membuka pintu" means "He/she allows me to open the door."
- When using causative verbs with inanimate subjects, you do not need to add "meng-." For example, "Pintu terbuka" means "The door is open," while "Saya membuka pintu" means "I am opening the door."
- When using causative verbs to make a request, it is common to use "boleh" or "silakan" before the verb. For example, "Boleh saya lihat kertas ini?" means "Can I see this paper?"
- When using a causative verb with a personal pronoun as the subject, you should use "akan" after the causative suffix. For example, "Saya akan membaca buku itu" means "I will read that book," while "Saya akan membacakan buku itu" means "I will read that book to someone."
Practice Exercises
Practice using causative verbs in Malay with the following exercises:
- Buatkan saya air kosong. (Please make me plain water.)
- Bacakan saya buku ini. (Please read this book to me.)
- Cucikan baju saya. (Please wash my clothes.)
- Makanlah kek ini. (Please eat this cake.)
Conclusion
Causative verbs are an important part of Malay grammar, and they are used in many everyday situations. By using the suffix "-kan" after the verb base, you can easily create causative verbs in Malay. Remember to pay attention to the subject of the sentence, and to use "meng-" when the subject is human. Practice using causative verbs in Malay with the exercises provided, and you will be using them like a native speaker in no time!
Related Lessons
- Nouns and Pronouns
- Questions and Interrogatives
- Adjectives
- Nouns
- How to Use Be
- 0 to A1 Course
- Passive Voice
- Pronouns
- Relative Clauses
- A1 Exam Overview