The passive voice is an essential grammatical structure in many languages, including Indonesian. For English speakers learning Indonesian, understanding how to use the passive voice can greatly enhance their ability to communicate more naturally and effectively. This comprehensive guide will delve into the rules and provide examples to help you master the passive voice in Indonesian.
Understanding the Passive Voice in Indonesian
In Indonesian, the passive voice is used to emphasize the action rather than the subject performing the action. This is similar to its use in English. However, the formation and usage can be quite different, making it crucial for learners to grasp the nuances.
Basic Structure of the Passive Voice
In Indonesian, the passive voice is typically formed by using a specific prefix with the verb. The most common prefixes for forming the passive voice are “di-” and “ter-“. Here’s a breakdown of how each prefix is used:
1. Passive Voice with “di-“
The prefix “di-” is used to form the passive voice in most cases. It is equivalent to the English “is/are/were” in passive constructions. The structure can be summarized as:
**Subject + di- + Verb + (by + Agent)**
For example:
– Active: Saya membaca buku. (I read a book.)
– Passive: Buku dibaca oleh saya. (The book is read by me.)
In this example, “baca” (read) becomes “dibaca” (is read), and the subject “saya” (I) follows the verb phrase.
2. Passive Voice with “ter-“
The prefix “ter-” is used to indicate an involuntary or accidental action, often implying that the subject did not intend for the action to happen. It can also indicate the state of having been affected by an action. The structure is similar:
**Subject + ter- + Verb**
For example:
– Active: Anak itu memecahkan kaca. (The child broke the glass.)
– Passive: Kaca itu terpecahkan. (The glass was broken.)
Here, “pecah” (break) becomes “terpecahkan” (was broken), implying that the glass ended up broken without focusing on the agent.
Using “di-” in Passive Constructions
The “di-” prefix is the most versatile and frequently used in passive sentences. Let’s explore its usage with various examples and contexts.
Simple Sentences
In simple sentences, “di-” is used to indicate that an action is performed by someone or something. Consider the following examples:
– Active: Guru mengajar murid. (The teacher teaches the students.)
– Passive: Murid diajar oleh guru. (The students are taught by the teacher.)
– Active: Anjing mengejar kucing. (The dog chases the cat.)
– Passive: Kucing dikejar oleh anjing. (The cat is chased by the dog.)
Note how the object of the active sentence becomes the subject in the passive sentence, and the agent is introduced by “oleh” (by).
Commands and Requests
Indonesian often uses the passive voice to make commands or requests sound more polite. This is somewhat similar to the use of the passive voice in English to soften commands. For example:
– Active: Tolong tutup pintu. (Please close the door.)
– Passive: Pintu tolong ditutup. (Please, the door is to be closed.)
This usage helps to direct attention away from the person performing the action and towards the action itself, thereby sounding more courteous.
Using “ter-” in Passive Constructions
The “ter-” prefix is used less frequently but is important for indicating accidental or unintended actions. Here’s how it works:
Unintentional Actions
When the action was not performed deliberately, “ter-” is used to indicate this lack of intention. For example:
– Active: Saya menjatuhkan piring. (I dropped the plate.)
– Passive: Piring terjatuh. (The plate fell/was dropped.)
In this case, “jatuh” (fall) becomes “terjatuh” (fell/was dropped), indicating that the action was not intentional.
State of Being
“Ter-” can also indicate a state of being, especially when referring to something that has been affected by an action. For example:
– Active: Mereka menemukan harta karun. (They found the treasure.)
– Passive: Harta karun ditemukan. (The treasure was found.)
Here, “temu” (find) becomes “ditemukan” (was found), focusing on the state of the treasure having been found rather than the action of finding it.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Learning to use the passive voice in Indonesian can be challenging, and learners often make several common mistakes. Here are some pitfalls and tips to avoid them:
Forgetting the Agent
In English, the agent in passive sentences is often optional. However, in Indonesian, including the agent (introduced by “oleh”) is more common and sometimes necessary for clarity. For example:
Incorrect: Buku dibaca. (The book is read.)
Correct: Buku dibaca oleh saya. (The book is read by me.)
Using the Wrong Prefix
Confusing “di-” and “ter-” is a common mistake. Remember that “di-” is used for most passive constructions, while “ter-” indicates unintentional actions or states. For example:
Incorrect: Kaca diterpecahkan. (The glass was broken.)
Correct: Kaca terpecahkan. (The glass was broken.)
Overusing Passive Voice
While the passive voice is useful, overusing it can make sentences sound awkward or overly formal. Balance your use of active and passive constructions to maintain naturalness in your speech and writing.
Practical Exercises to Master Passive Voice
To solidify your understanding of the passive voice in Indonesian, it’s helpful to practice with various exercises. Here are a few to get you started:
Exercise 1: Convert Active to Passive
Convert the following active sentences into passive sentences:
1. Polisi menangkap pencuri. (The police catch the thief.)
2. Ibu memasak nasi goreng. (Mother cooks fried rice.)
3. Siswa menulis surat. (The student writes a letter.)
Answers:
1. Pencuri ditangkap oleh polisi. (The thief is caught by the police.)
2. Nasi goreng dimasak oleh ibu. (Fried rice is cooked by mother.)
3. Surat ditulis oleh siswa. (The letter is written by the student.)
Exercise 2: Identify the Incorrect Use of Passive Voice
Identify the mistakes in the following sentences and correct them:
1. Kucing digigit oleh anjing. (The cat is bitten by the dog.)
2. Buku diterbaca oleh saya. (The book is read by me.)
3. Rumah itu terbakar oleh api. (The house was burnt by fire.)
Answers:
1. Correct as is.
2. Buku dibaca oleh saya. (The book is read by me.)
3. Rumah itu terbakar. (The house was burnt.)
Exercise 3: Create Passive Sentences
Create passive sentences from the following verbs and subjects:
1. Menulis (write) / surat (letter)
2. Membeli (buy) / mobil (car)
3. Menemukan (find) / kunci (key)
Answers:
1. Surat ditulis oleh saya. (The letter is written by me.)
2. Mobil dibeli oleh ayah. (The car is bought by father.)
3. Kunci ditemukan oleh ibu. (The key is found by mother.)
Conclusion
Mastering the passive voice in Indonesian can significantly enhance your fluency and comprehension. By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you can effectively use both “di-” and “ter-” constructions to convey actions, states, and unintentional events. Remember to pay attention to common pitfalls and strive for a balanced use of passive and active voice to keep your language natural and engaging. With these tools and exercises, you’re well on your way to mastering the passive voice in Indonesian. Happy learning!
