Understanding Active and Passive Voice in Malay for English Speakers

What is Active and Passive Voice in Malay?

In Malay, just like in English, sentences can be expressed in either the active or passive voice. The active voice emphasizes the subject performing the action, while the passive voice focuses on the action being done to the subject. Understanding how to form and use these voices is essential for effective communication in Malay.

Forming the Active Voice in Malay

The active voice in Malay typically follows the structure: Subject + Verb + Object. The verb often includes prefixes that indicate the type of action or the actor involved.

For example:

Forming the Passive Voice in Malay

The passive voice in Malay is formed by using specific prefixes on the verb, such as di-, to indicate that the subject is receiving the action. The typical structure is: Subject + di-Verb + (oleh + Agent), where the agent (doer) is optional.

For example:

Common Prefixes Used in Passive Voice

Malay uses several prefixes to form passive verbs depending on the verb type and context. The most common passive prefix is di-. Here are some examples:

• di- (e.g., dimakan - eaten)
• ter- (used for accidental or unintentional actions)
• ke-an (used to form nouns or passive verbs in some contexts)

Differences Between Active and Passive Voice in Malay

While English often requires the use of auxiliary verbs like "is" or "was" to form the passive voice, Malay uses verb prefixes instead. Additionally, the agent performing the action can be omitted in Malay passive sentences without making the sentence unclear.

For example, both sentences below are correct and commonly used:

When to Use Active or Passive Voice in Malay?

Active voice is generally used when the focus is on the doer of the action, while passive voice is used when the focus is on the action itself or the receiver of the action. Passive voice is also common in formal writing and when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

Tips for English Speakers Learning Malay Voice Structures

• Pay attention to verb prefixes to identify voice.
• Practice forming sentences in both active and passive voice.
• Remember that the agent in passive sentences can be omitted.
• Listen to native speakers to get a feel for natural usage.