From root: alala
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
nag-alala
nag-a-lA-la
worried
Present (Incomplete)
nag-aalala
nag-a-a-lA-la
is worrying
Future (Contemplated)
mag-aalala
mag-a-a-la-A-la
will worry
Usage Note
Mag-alala is used in formal or literary contexts to express worry or concern, particularly for another person's safety or well-being. While commonly shortened to 'mag-alala' in daily conversation, this full form is often found in written texts and traditional speech.
Examples
" Huwag kang mag-alala. "
Natural Translation
Don't worry.
Literal Translation
Don't you worry.
" Sabi niya ay huwag mag-alala. "
Natural Translation
He said not to worry.
Literal Translation
Said he is do-not worry.
" Nag-alala ang buong pamilya nang hindi pa rin umuuwi ang ama hanggang hatinggabi. "
Natural Translation
The whole family worried when the father still hadn't come home by midnight.
Literal Translation
Worried the whole family when not still go-home the father until midnight.
Take Tagalog with you
The full course, a 12,500-word dictionary, and flashcards that make every word stick — free to start on iOS and Android.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workRelated Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Tagalog Word Order: Sentence Structure Made Simple
Why Tagalog puts the verb first, and how ang, ng, and sa markers work. A clear guide to VSO word order, forming questions, and negation.
Philippine Christmas Traditions: World's Longest Holiday
Philippine Christmas traditions run four months — from Ber-month carols to Simbang Gabi dawn masses, Noche Buena feasts, and parol lanterns lighting every street.
Tagalog Verb Conjugation: Aspects Made Simple
Tagalog verb conjugation uses aspects, not tenses. Learn the three aspects with -um- and mag- verbs, one reduplication rule, and clear example tables.
Tagalog Slang Guide: 20 Words You'll Hear on TikTok
Tagalog slang explained: lodi, petmalu, werpa, astig, chika and more. Decode Filipino TikTok comments, group chats, and pop culture with this practical guide.