An active verb is either transitive or intransitive. A kata kerja transitif must be followed by an object: “Ali menendang bola” — bola is what gets kicked. A kata kerja tak transitif is complete on its own: “Adik menangis.”
What your child will learn
- Find the object of a verb
- Tell transitive verbs from intransitive ones
- Notice when a sentence is missing its object
Does the verb need something?
Ask “what?” after the verb. “Ibu memasak…” what? Nasi. There is an answer, so memasak is transitive. “Bayi itu tidur…” what? Nothing — tidur is intransitive.
Most transitive verbs start with me-, often with -kan or -i at the end (membeli, mengumpulkan). Many intransitive verbs start with ber- (berlari, berkumpul). A place phrase such as “ke sekolah” is not an object.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. Apakah objek dalam ayat “Ali menendang bola”?
⚽- bola
- Ali
- menendang
- tiada objek
Show answer
Answer: bola. Bola ialah benda yang ditendang.
2. Yang manakah kata kerja transitif?
- membeli
- berlari
- duduk
- tidur
Show answer
Answer: membeli. Kita membeli sesuatu, jadi “membeli” memerlukan objek.
3. Betul atau salah? Dalam ayat “Bayi itu tidur”, kata kerja “tidur” tidak memerlukan objek.
👶- Salah
- Betul
Show answer
Answer: Betul. “Tidur” ialah kata kerja tak transitif.
Tips for grown-ups
- Say half a sentence — “Abang membaiki…” — and let your child finish it with an object.
- Sort verb cards into “needs an object” and “stands alone”.