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“ke-…-an” Circumfix Functioning as Verb in Indonesian Language – Formula and Examples

Circumfix, or also called ambifix is an affix that has two parts. One part is placed in the start of the word, while the other part is at the end of the word.

In English, circumfix is not a common thing. However, circumfix is very common in other language, such as Georgian, Malay, and also in Indonesian.

In Indonesian, there are many kinds of circumfix. For example, per-an, peng-an, ke-an, ber-an, and so on. In this article, we will discuss circumfix ke-…-an in Indonesian language.

Ke-…-an in Indonesian Language Meaning

Ke-…-an is one of circumfix in Indonesian language. Indonesian language indeed has any different kinds of circumfix. Ke-…-an is one of most used circumfix in Indonesia. Usually the word that placed in the middle of the circumfix is a verb or adjective. The new word with circumfix usually will be a different type of word.

For example, the word “basah” or “wet” is an adjective, but when combined with ke-…-an, the word will become “kebasahan” or “get soaked” which is a verb.

Another example is the word “gelisah” or anxious is an adjective, but when combined with ke-…-an, the word will become “kegelisahan” or “anxiety” which is a noun.

There are many meaning of ke-…-an in Indonesian language. Ke-…-an can make the word have meaning of something accidental, verb without object, an action that is too much, something similar, a group of something, a place, etc.

Ke-…-an as verb in Indonesia can also functioning as a instransitive verb, meaning a verb that does not allow a direct verb.

Read more about other Indonesian suffixes:

Examples of ke-…-an Circumfix Functioning as Verb in Indonesian Language

One of ke-…-an meaning in Indonesian language is to change the word become the word that functioning as a verb. Below are several examples of ke-…-an circumfix functioning as verb in Indonesian language:

  • Lapar, kelaparan, hungry
  • Hilang, kehilangan, lost
  • Jatuh, kejatuhan, fall
  • Takut, ketakutan, scared
  • Terlambat, keterlambatan, late
  • Masuk, kemasukan, entered accidentally
  • Basah, kebasahan, get soaked
  • Tidur, ketiduran, falling asleep
  • Celaka, kecelakaan, accident
  • Rusak, kerusakan, damage
  • Lelah, kelelahan, or capek, kecapekan, tired
  • Dingin, kedinginan, cold

Read more about other Indonesian affix and prefix:

Examples of Using ke-…-an Circumfix Functioning as Verb in Indonesian Daily Conversations

To understand more about this topic, you should read about the examples on daily sentences or conversations.

Below are several examples of using ke-…-an circumfix functioning as verb in Indonesian daily conversations:

  • Dia kelaparan karena belum sarapan.

She is hungry because she skipped her breakfast.

  • Aku kehilangan kunci rumahku pagi ini.

I lost my house key this morning.

  • Dia ketakutan karena harus pulang malam sendiri.

She is scared because she has to go home late alone.

  • Kereta Argo Parahyangan itu mengalami keterlambatan karena ada kecelakaan lalu lintas.

The Argo Parahyangan train is late because there was a traffic accident.

  • Aku kelelahan karena setelah berolahraga renang.

I’m tired after swimming.

That’s all about “ke-…-an circumfix functioning as verb in Indonesian language. Thank you for reading. I hope the information will be helpful for you.

Categories: Word Formation