prefik

Prefik is a term used in certain language traditions to denote a prefix, a morpheme that attaches to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning or grammatical function. It is a basic building block of word formation and typically appears at the left edge of a root. In many languages, a prefik can indicate voice, negation, tense, aspect, or derivation, and may trigger phonological changes in the base.

In typology, prefixes are common in many language families, though their functions vary. In agglutinative languages, prefixes form a primary layer of affixation and often combine with other affixes in a regular order. In fusional or analytic languages, prefixes may interact with other grammatical markers in more variable ways.

In Indonesian and Malay, prefik (often written prefiks in standard spelling) is the standard term for prefixes. Common examples include di- for passive voice and me-/mem-/men-/meng- for active voice, with phonological alternations depending on the following consonant. For instance, tulis (to write) becomes menulis (to write, active) and ditulis (is written, passive). Prefixes can also contribute to derivation, turning verbs into nouns or adjectives in some languages.

Etymology and terminology: prefik is cognate with the English term prefix; in many linguistic traditions, the term prefik or prefiks is used to describe the same morphological category. The broader concept remains a fundamental element of morphology and lexeme formation.