mag-

Tagalog

Etymology

From Proto-Austronesian *maʀ-, likely a portmanteau of the original actor trigger affix *-um- (inherited as Tagalog -um-) and *paʀ- (Tagalog pag-), as is the case in other actor trigger affixes (mang- from pang- + -um-, and ma- from pa-/ka- + -um-).

Prefix

mag-

1. Actor trigger/focus verb prefix, used to express:
   1. An action.

      Magluluto ako ng pagkain. ― I will cook food.

   2. The taking up of an occupation.

      Nagdoktor si Mary noong 1987. ― Mary became a doctor in 1987.

   3. The use or wearing of something.

      Hindi siya marunong mag-Ingles. ― He doesn't know how to speak (use) English.

      Mag-amerikana ka at malamig sa labas. ― Wear a coat because it's cold outside.

   4. A reciprocal action (for some verbs).

      Mag-usap muna tayo. ― Let's talk to each other first.

   5. (with CV reduplication): An action done repeatedly, continually, or intensely.

      Nagsisisigaw ang mga bata. ― The children are screaming so much.

   6. (with root word reduplication): A reciprocal action involving three or more doers.

      Magkikita-kita tayo sa susunod na linggo. ― We will see one another next week.

   7. (with root word reduplication): An action done occasionally, at random, a little, a bit, now and then, or here and there.

      Naglakad-lakad si Pedro sa mall. ― Pedro walked a bit in the mall.

2. Verb prefix with no trigger/focus used to express being, occurrence, or existence.

   Magpa-Pasko na bukas! ― It will be Christmas tomorrow!

   Maghahating-gabi na. ― It is almost midnight.

3. Noun prefix used to indicate:
   1. Relationship between two persons.

      ‎mag- + ‎ama (“father”) → ‎mag-ama (“father and child”)

      ‎mag- + ‎asawa (“spouse”) → ‎mag-asawa (“married couple”)

   2. (with CV reduplication): Relationship among three or more persons.

      ‎mag- + ‎CV- + ‎ina (“mother”) → ‎mag-iina (“mother and children”)

      ‎mag- + ‎CV- + ‎kapatid (“sibling”) → ‎magkakapatid (“brothers and sisters, siblings”)

   3. (with CV reduplication): Occupation.

      ‎mag- + ‎CV- + ‎saka (“farming”) → ‎magsasaka (“farmer”)

      ‎mag- + ‎CV- + ‎nakaw (“something stolen”) → ‎magnanakaw (“thief, robber”)

Usage notes

If the root word begins with a vowel or the root word is a proper noun, insert a hyphen after the prefix.

• ‎mag- + ‎aral → ‎mag-aral
• ‎mag- + ‎Pasko → ‎mag-Pasko

Also see usage notes at um-.

See also

• mag- -an
• magka-
• magkanda-
• magkang-
• magma-
• magpa-
• magpaka-
• magpa-
• magsi-, magsipag-

Tagalog words prefixed with mag-