The prefix meng- works as an active verb, both transitive (verbs that need an object) and intransitive (verbs that do not need an object).
Here are some examples of words that change meaning by adding prefixes, namely
Contoh: mencair, menguning, dan mengkristal.
Here, the prefix meng- means ‘menjadi’ (become).
‘Mencair’ means ‘menjadi cair’.
‘Menguning’ means ‘menjadi kuning’.
‘Mengkristal’ means ‘menjadi kristal.’
Contoh: menyupir dan menggunung.
Here, the prefix meng- means berfungsi sebagai atau menyerupai (functioning as or resembling).
‘Menyupir’ means ‘berfungsi sebagai supir.’
‘Menggunung’ means ‘menyerupai gunung.’
Contoh: menyatai, mengopi, dan mengeteh.
Here, the prefix meng- means makan atau minum (eat or drink).
‘Menyatai’ means ‘makan satai.’
‘Mengopi’ means ‘minum kopi.’
‘Mengeteh’ means ‘minum teh.’
Contoh: menyambal, menggulai, dan membatik.
Here, the prefix meng- means membuat atau menghasilkan (make or produce).
‘Menyambal’ means ‘membuat sambal.’
‘Menggulai’ means ‘membuat gulai.’
‘Membatik’ means ‘menghasilkan batik.’
On closer inspection, the form of the prefix meng- changes to meny- in some words. In Indonesian, this is called an allomorph. In simple terms, an allomorph is a change in the sound and shape of a prefix that does not change the meaning of the word. But we’re not going to talk about allomorphs in this post, we’ll talk about them in the next post. These are some of the functions of prefixes in changing words. For some words, it is enough to add meng- to transitive or intransitive words. But there are some words that will change, one of which will become meny-. In the next BasaBasa article we will discuss tense changes other than meny-. Follow us for the latest news from BasaBasa!
