Grammar Exercises 1 :
Prefixes and Suffixes
Oh boy, we just love grammar. All those sneaky little prefixes and suffixes... they all seem to do so many different things
at different times. So, let's look at a few examples with ambil and a couple of others, just to refresh your memory of some
of the most common prefix and suffix uses. Otherwise, if you think you're ready, why not go straight to the interactive exercises
* ambil (get/take - root word)
* ngambil (same as ambil root word but common slang version)
* ambilkan (when you are getting something for someone else's benefit)
* ambilin (same as ambilkan but common slang version)
* pengambilan (the process of taking/getting/collection)
* ambillah (imperative)
Passive forms
These are also sometimes called 'object focus' forms because, while the first passive form can be expressed similar to the English
passive (e.g. tas saya diambil - my bag was taken), it is also often accompanied by a subject
(tas saya diambil nenek - my bag was taken by my grandmother). The second 'passive' only really masquerades as a passive by
virtue of having the object placed at the beginning of the sentence - hence the 'object-focus' tag
(e.g. Tas nenek yang saya ambil - my grandmother's bag, which I took). You need to be careful to get word order right
while using object focus forms - variations will often get you puzzled looks.
* diambil (passive form 1 - e.g. Tas saya diambil nenek)
* ambil (passive form 2 - e.g. Tas nenek yang saya ambil)
And how about some of my personal favourites just for good measure?
* ber-xxxx-an - (indicates a degree of chaos - e.g. 'berterbangan' is what a flock of birds will do if you run at them, from the root word 'terbang', to fly)
* me-xxxx-i - (indicates repeated actions like menyurati - from 'surat', to send letters; or melempari - from 'lempar' - 'to throw' becomes 'to pelt').
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Now we've warmed up and all excited about getting on with some exercises, it is worth noting that one of the most frustrating things for a new bahasa speaker is that the prefix/suffix system is polivalent. So, while xxxx-i can mean 'repeatedly',
like 'melempari', it can also make an intransitive verb form transitive - e.g. 'masuk' - 'to enter' becomes 'masuki', which also means 'to enter' but needs an object
such as 'masuki ruang' - to enter the room. Similarly, adding the suffix 'kan' can mean either to do something for someone's benefit or to cause something
to happen (compare 'ambilkan' - 'to get something for someone' with 'masukkan' - 'to put something inside something else').
Confused? Don't be, it just takes practice and soon these things will all become mechanical. Once you've done it the right way a hundred times,
it will be hard to make your brain do it any other way. You must practice. In any case, if you are really a glutton for punishment, we will be
publishing a more complete grammar guide on this site soon. In the meantime, why don't you try the exercises below.
Interactive grammar exercises
ambil
baca
bagi
bantu dan masak
buat
duduk
kerja
makan
tinggal
mana ( di mana / ke mana )
Our first and strongest advice to all students learning bahasa is DON'T get hung up on the prefixes and suffixes. They are very commonly dropped in daily conversation and until you learn them properly, it's a case of "less is more". It's better to simply use the root word than use a prefix-suffix inccorectly.
I know, traditional learning focuses on vocabulary and grammar, and perhaps that's what you're used to and that's what you believe is most effective, but trust me, it's NOT! For those of you who hate (hated) learning those boring grammar rules and find (found) them terribly confusing and impossible to memorize, you're in luck! All modern teaching methods are focusing on a completely different way of learning which is much, much more effective. Want to learn more about
'our philosophy'? Please, come for a visit.
Or how how about other fascinating things like "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" and "Accelerated Learning"? Come learn more about
'intuitive learning'.
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Vocabulary Exercises 1 :
Vocab 0 :
a
b
c
d
Vocab 1 :
a
b
Vocab 2 :
a
b
c
d
Vocab 3 :
a
b
c
d
Vocab 4 :
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
Vocab 5 :
a
b
c
d
e
f
Vocab 6 :
a
b
c
d
e
Vocab 7 :
a
b
c
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Once again, we don't typically use a lot of vocabulary exercises when teaching languages. Same as we don't use typewriters, 8-track tapes or the Pony Express! Those methods have long since been relegated to museums. So why is it that language teaching hasn't changed significantly in a hundred years? Sure, a lot of schools are using computers and all the rest, but the underlying methods haven't changed. It's like hooking up your horse to pull your new motorcar. Why not put the horse out to pasture and learn how to start and drive your car to it's full potential.
Likewise with the potential of your mind; your brain. It's time to start tapping into its nearly limitless potential.
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Bahasa Central
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