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    ๐Ÿ”ค The Ultimate Guide to Tagalog Verb Affixes (Including Infixes like -UM-)

    If you're learning Tagalog, mastering verb affixes is essential to speaking naturally and clearly. Unlike English, which often uses helper verbs or verb endings (like "will" or "-ed"), Tagalog conveys verb meaning through affixation โ€” adding special parts to root words.

    There are different kinds of affixes in Tagalog:

    • Prefixes โ€“ added to the start of a word (e.g., magluto)
    • Infixes โ€“ inserted within a root word (e.g., sumulat)
    • Suffixes โ€“ added at the end (less common for verbs)
    • Circumfixes โ€“ surrounding the root (more common in nouns)

    In this guide, we'll explore the most common verb affixes in Tagalog: -um-,mag-, ma-, maka-, and i-. For each one, we'll explain the meaning, usage, and include examples using familiar roots so even beginners can follow along.


    ๐Ÿ”น The -UM- Infix

    Function: Expresses an action done actively or intentionally by the subject. Often used for completed or one-time actions.

    Usage:

    • Common in past and present tense
    • Inserted after the first consonant of the root word

    Examples:

    Root WordVerbMeaning
    kainkumainate
    inomuminomdrank
    takbotumakboran
    upoumuposat down
    alisumalisleft

    ๐Ÿ”น The MAG- Prefix

    Function: Used for intentional or voluntary actions, often in the present or future tense. Can also be used to express doing something as a habit.

    Usage:

    • Focus is often on the actor (who is doing the action)
    • Often used for daily routines or planned activities

    Examples:

    Root WordVerbMeaning
    lutomaglutoto cook
    linismaglinisto clean
    turomagturoto teach
    trabahomagtrabahoto work
    aralmag-aralto study

    ๐Ÿ”น The MA- Prefix

    Function: Used to express a state, condition, or the ability to do something. Often used inpassive or involuntary contexts.

    Usage:

    • Focus can be on the receiver of the action or the state itself
    • Can indicate accidental or spontaneous actions
    • Sometimes describes emotional or physical states

    Examples:

    Root WordVerbMeaning
    tulogmatulogto sleep
    gulatmagulatto be surprised
    galitmagalitto get angry
    tuwamatuwato feel happy
    hulimahulito get caught

    ๐Ÿ’ก Note: You might notice maganda ("beautiful") uses ma-, but it's actually not a verb โ€” it's an adjective. In this case, ma- forms a state/quality adjective. So while related, it's not expressing a verb action.


    ๐Ÿ”น The MAKA- Prefix

    Function: Expresses the ability or potential to do something โ€” often used when someonemanages to do an action successfully.

    Usage:

    • Often used to express opportunity, chance, or success
    • Can describe unexpected successes

    Examples:

    Root WordVerbMeaning
    kainmakakainto be able to eat
    takbomakatakboto be able to run
    puntamakapuntato be able to go
    pasokmakapasokto be able to enter

    ๐Ÿ”น The I- Prefix

    Function: Focuses on the object being moved or acted upon. This prefix is often used when the speaker wants to emphasize what is being done rather than who is doing it.

    Usage:

    • Object-focused, especially in imperative commands
    • Often used for moving, transferring, or delivering something

    Examples:

    Root WordVerbMeaning
    bigayibigayto give (something)
    taponitaponto throw away
    labailabato wash (clothes)
    lagayilagayto put (something)

    ๐ŸŒŸ Final Example: Root Word "Kain" (to eat)

    Let's see how one root word transforms with different affixes:

    FormVerbMeaning
    kain(root)to eat
    kumain-um-ate
    magkainmag-to have a meal together (less common)
    makainma-to accidentally eat / get to eat
    makakainmaka-will be able to eat
    ikaini-to eat something (for someone)

    โœ… Conclusion

    Learning Tagalog verbs starts with understanding affixes. Once you get the hang of how affixes like mag-, ma-, -um-, and others change the meaning of a root, you'll start to recognize patterns and build fluency much faster.

    This is just the start โ€” mastering Tagalog verbs means building a mental map of root words and how they evolve with different affixes. Keep practicing, reading, and speaking, and soon this system will feel natural to you.

    ๐ŸŽง Ready to practice? Check out our beginner lessons for interactive exercises with these verb affixes!

    Magpatuloy tayo sa pag-aaral! ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ (Let's continue learning!)