The `ter-` prefix is another powerful tool in your Malay grammar toolkit. It primarily has three functions: indicating an accidental action, forming the superlative (e.g., biggest, best), and describing a state of being.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
This is a very common use. When you add `ter-` to a verb, it often implies the action happened by accident or without intention.
| Root Verb | Meaning | `ter-` Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| tidur | sleep | tertidur | to fall asleep (unintentionally) |
| makan | eat | termakan | to eat by accident |
| jatuh | fall | terjatuh | to fall down (accidentally) |
| duduk | sit | terduduk | to fall into a sitting position |
When `ter-` is attached to an adjective, it creates the superlative form, just like adding "-est" in English.
| Root Adjective | Meaning | `ter-` Adjective | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| besar | big | terbesar | biggest |
| cantik | beautiful | tercantik | most beautiful |
| baik | good | terbaik | best |
| tinggi | high/tall | tertinggi | highest/tallest |
This function describes something that is in a particular state, often as the result of an action.
| Root Word | Meaning | `ter-` Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| buka | open | terbuka | is open / was opened |
| tutup | close | tertutup | is closed / was closed |
| kenal | know/recognize | terkenal | is known / famous |
To create a superlative, you can use `ter-` or the word `paling` ("most"). They are often interchangeable, but `ter-` can sound slightly more formal or literary. Using `paling` is always a safe and correct option.
Master the different uses of the `ter-` prefix.
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Identify the function of `ter-` in each sentence (Accidental, Superlative, or Stative).
Write the correct `ter-` word for the following root words.
A story about a clumsy but lucky day.
Pagi tadi, saya terbangun lambat. Saya sangat letih dan tertidur semula. (pah-gee tah-dee, sah-yah tur-bah-ngoon lahm-baht. sah-yah sah-ngaht luh-teeh dahn tur-tee-door suh-moo-lah.)
Saya cepat-cepat pergi kerja. Di jalan, saya nampak bangunan tertinggi di bandar. (sah-yah chuh-paht-chuh-paht pur-gee ker-jah. dee jah-lahn, sah-yah nahm-pahk bah-ngoo-nahn tur-ting-gee dee bahn-dar.)
Apabila saya sampai di pejabat, pintu sudah terbuka. Bos saya ada di dalam. Saya fikir saya sudah lambat, tapi dia senyum sahaja. Rupa-rupanya, saya pekerja terbaik bulan ini! (...dee-ah suh-nyoom sah-hah-jah. roo-pah-roo-pah-nyah, sah-yah puh-ker-jah tur-bah-eek boo-lahn ee-nee!)
This morning, I accidentally woke up late. I was very tired and fell asleep again.
I quickly went to work. On the road, I saw the tallest building in the city.
When I arrived at the office, the door was already open. My boss was inside. I thought I was already late, but he just smiled. As it turns out, I am the best employee this month!
Hebat! You now know how to use `me-`, `ber-`, and `ter-`. There is one more essential prefix to learn: `di-`. This prefix is the key to forming the passive voice, allowing you to say that something *was done* to an object. In Chapter 28, we will explore the Imbuhan Awalan 'di-' (The 'di-' Prefix).