What is the Passive Voice in Indonesian?
The passive voice in Indonesian is a grammatical construction in which the focus of the sentence shifts from the doer of the action to the recipient of the action. Unlike the active voice, where the subject performs the action, the passive voice highlights what happens to the subject. The most common way to form the passive voice in Indonesian is by using the prefix di- attached to the base verb.
How Does the di- Structure Work?
The di- prefix is added directly to the root verb to indicate that the subject is receiving the action. For example:
- Active: Saya makan nasi. (I eat rice.)
- Passive: Nasi dimakan (oleh saya). (The rice is eaten (by me).)
In the passive sentence, nasi (rice) becomes the subject, and dimakan (is eaten) shows that the action is being received by the rice. The agent (the person performing the action) can be omitted or included using the word oleh (by), but it is often left out if it’s clear from context.
How the Passive Voice Changes the Meaning
The di- passive structure shifts the focus of the sentence. Here’s how this change in focus affects meaning:
1. Emphasis on the Recipient
In passive constructions, the recipient of the action becomes the main topic. This is useful when you want to highlight what happened rather than who did it.
- Active: Guru menjelaskan pelajaran. (The teacher explains the lesson.)
- Passive: Pelajaran dijelaskan (oleh guru). (The lesson is explained (by the teacher).)
The passive version emphasizes the lesson rather than the teacher.
2. Agent Can Be Omitted
The di- passive structure allows you to omit the agent if it is unknown, unimportant, or understood from context. This is common in news reports, instructions, or formal writing.
- Rumah itu dibangun tahun lalu. (The house was built last year.)
Here, who built the house is not important—the focus is on the house and when it was built.
3. Politeness and Indirectness
Using the passive voice can make sentences sound more polite or indirect, which is particularly valued in Indonesian culture. It helps avoid directly blaming or confronting someone.
- Meja ini belum dibersihkan. (This table has not been cleaned.)
This is less direct than saying “You have not cleaned this table.”
When to Use the di- Passive Voice
- When you want to focus on the action or recipient rather than the doer
- When the doer is unknown or unimportant
- To achieve a more formal, polite, or objective tone in writing or speech
- In instructions, news reporting, or academic writing
Common Mistakes with the di- Passive Structure
- Using the passive voice when the active voice is clearer or more natural
- Incorrectly combining the di- prefix with verbs that do not take passive form
- Forgetting to adjust pronouns or word order when changing from active to passive
Practice Tips for Learners
- Try rewriting active sentences into passive voice using the di- prefix
- Read Indonesian newspapers or official documents to see passive structures in context
- Use language learning platforms like Talkpal to practice both recognizing and creating passive sentences
Conclusion
Mastering the di- passive voice is an essential part of learning Indonesian. It changes not only the structure but also the focus, tone, and sometimes the implied meaning of your sentences. By understanding when and how to use this structure, you will communicate more naturally and effectively. For more tips, examples, and interactive exercises on Indonesian grammar, visit the Talkpal AI language learning blog and make your language learning journey more engaging and successful.
