An imbuhan apitan is a circumfix: a prefix and a suffix added together, like two slices of bread around a filling. Ke-…-an and per-…-an make nouns (kebersihan, cleanliness; permainan, game). Me-…-kan, me-…-i and di-…-kan make verbs (membersihkan, menasihati, dibersihkan).
What your child will learn
- Find the base word inside a circumfixed word
- Use ke-…-an and pe-…-an to make nouns
- Use me-…-kan and me-…-i to make verbs
Both ends at once
Ke-…-an turns an adjective into an idea: bersih becomes kebersihan, sihat becomes kesihatan. It can also mean “suffering from”: kelaparan (starving), kesejukan (freezing).
Me-…-kan often means “to make something happen”: memandikan (to bathe someone), memadamkan (to put out). Watch the spelling of pertunjukan (a show), which has one k.
Example questions
Here are a few questions like the ones in the first quest. Can you solve them?
1. Apakah imbuhan apitan dalam “pertandingan”?
🏆- per-…-an
- di-…-kan
- me-…-kan
- ke-…-an
Show answer
Answer: per-…-an. per- + tanding + -an.
2. Tambahkan apitan “ke-…-an” pada “indah”.
- keindahan
- keindah
- indahan
- kenindahan
Show answer
Answer: keindahan. ke- + indah + -an menjadi “keindahan”.
3. Isi tempat kosong: “Kita mesti menjaga ___ kelas. (bersih)”
🏫- pembersih
- membersih
- bersihkan
- kebersihan
Show answer
Answer: kebersihan. “Kebersihan” ialah kata nama bagi keadaan bersih.
Tips for grown-ups
- Take one base word and build a family: bersih, kebersihan, membersihkan, dibersihkan, pembersih.
- Find ke-…-an words on school posters.