Reading Signs

pe-

Sound Changes

Like prefix me- a number of sound changes occur when prefix pe- is combined with root words in order to facilitate a smooth transition in pronunciation. What the sound will be in a particular word depends on the first sound of the root word following the prefix.

First Letter	Inflection	Root Word	Prefix Pe-	Meaning
l m ny r w	pe + root	lupa musik nyanyi rusak waris	pelupa pemusik penyanyi perusak pewaris	forgetful person musician singer vandal heir
Vowel g h	pe + ng + root	uji gali hapus	penguji penggali penghapus	examiner digger eraser
c d j	pe + n + root	cuci didik jual	pencuci pendidik penjual	washer teacher/educator seller
b f	pe + m + root	buat fitnah	pembuat pemfitnah	maker detractor
p	pe + m + drop ‘p’ + root	pahat	pemahat	sculpture, carver
k	pe + ng + drop the ‘k’ + root	karang	pengarang	author, writer, composer
t	pe + n + drop the ‘t’ + root	tulis tari	penulis penari	writer dancer
s	pe + ny + drop the ‘s’ + root	sapu	penyapu	sweeper

Function

The prefix pe- is used to show the doer/person who does the action; someone who is fond of doing; it can be used to explain the character of the person; It can also form a noun that explain what that noun does.

Roots	Prefix pe-	Meaning	Function
nyanyi tulis	penyanyi penulis	singer writer	the doer/person who does the action
cetak garis hapus	(mesin)pencetak penggaris penghapus	printer ruler eraser	to inanimate objects, with which the action is performed
marah malu	pemarah pemalu	ill tempered shy person	to explain the character of the person
balap	pembalap	racer	someone who is fond of doing
main tenis	pemain pemain bola petenis	player footballer tennis palyer	to refer to sporting activities
diri	pendiri	founder
cinta (men)cinta	pecinta pencinta	lover lover	In few cases both have the same meaning.
tunjuk tunjuk	penunjuk petunjuk	indicator instructions, indication	In this case each has different meaning.
jabat jabat	penjabat(menteri) pejabat	acting (minister) official	Both have different meaning which are not related to actor and patient.

Reference:
Indonesian: A Comprehensive Grammar (Routledge Grammars) by James Neil Sneddon(Dec 26, 1996)
Indonesian Reference Grammar, by James Neil Sneddon, 1996
Understanding Indonesian Grammar: A Student’s Reference and Workbook by James Neil Sneddon (Mar 2008)
Indonesian Grammar Made Easy by Liaw Yock Fang(Times Learner – 1996)