How do you use the passive voice in Indonesian?

Understanding the Passive Voice in Indonesian

The passive voice in Indonesian, known as kalimat pasif, is used to emphasize the action or the recipient of the action rather than the doer. This is especially common in news reports, instructions, and formal writing, but it’s also used in everyday speech.

How Does the Passive Voice Work?

In Indonesian, the passive voice is generally formed by using specific prefixes attached to the verb. The most common passive prefix is di-. The structure typically follows this pattern:

Object (recipient) + di-verb + (by actor)

For example:

• Buku itu dibaca oleh saya. (That book is read by me.)
• Makanannya dimasak oleh ibu. (The food is cooked by mother.)

Omitting the Actor

Often, the actor (the person doing the action) is omitted in Indonesian passive sentences if it’s obvious or not important. The sentences then become:

• Buku itu dibaca. (That book is read.)
• Makanannya dimasak. (The food is cooked.)

Key Structures of Passive Voice in Indonesian

1. Passive with di- Prefix

The most straightforward way to form the passive voice is by adding the prefix di- to the verb root:

• Menulis (to write) → ditulis (is written)
• Membaca (to read) → dibaca (is read)
• Makan (to eat) → dimakan (is eaten)

This form is used when the subject of the sentence is the receiver of the action.

2. Passive with ter- Prefix

The prefix ter- is used to indicate that something happens unintentionally or naturally, often translated as “got” or “was” in English.

• Pintu itu terbuka. (The door is/was opened (by itself).)
• Buku itu terbaca. (The book was read (by chance).)

Use ter- when describing accidental or spontaneous actions.

3. Passive with Object-Focused Verbs

In informal conversation, Indonesian sometimes uses a special construction where the verb takes a ku-, kau-, or di- prefix with a pronoun, such as:

• Ditanya (is asked)
• Kubaca (read by me)
• Kaumakan (eaten by you)

While this is less formal, it is useful to recognize in daily speech.

When to Use the Passive Voice in Indonesian

Passive voice is common in these situations:

• When the actor is unknown or unimportant: Mobil itu dicuri. (The car was stolen.)
• To be polite or indirect: Kesalahan ini sudah diperbaiki. (This mistake has been fixed.)
• In formal writing, news, or instructions: Formulir harus diisi. (The form must be filled.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing the di- prefix with location words like di rumah (at home). The di- for passive verbs always attaches to a verb, not a noun.
• Forgetting to adjust verb roots. Some verbs require slight changes when adding di- or ter-.
• Using the passive voice too often in casual conversation, where the active voice might sound more natural.

Tips for Practicing the Passive Voice

• Read Indonesian news articles and pay attention to passive constructions.
• Try rewriting active sentences into passive ones for practice.
• Use language learning platforms like Talkpal to get instant feedback on your passive voice usage.
• Listen to native speakers and note how often they use passive vs. active sentences in different contexts.

Conclusion

Understanding and using the passive voice in Indonesian opens up new ways to express yourself clearly and politely. By focusing on the right structures, practicing regularly, and utilizing resources like Talkpal, you’ll soon find the passive voice becomes a natural part of your Indonesian communication. Keep practicing, and don’t hesitate to revisit this guide whenever you need a refresher!