mag-alsa
mag-alsâ with stress marks
to rise up
From root: alsa
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
nag-alsa
nag-al-SA
rose up
Present (Incomplete)
nag-aalsa
nag-a-al-SA
is rising up
Future (Contemplated)
mag-aalsa
mag-a-al-SA
will rise up
Usage Note
Mag-alsa is the actor-focus infinitive of 'alsa', covering both political uprising and literal rising such as dough leavening. In Philippine history 'alsa' carries strong associations with peasant revolts and resistance movements, and the Spanish loan root 'alzar' lends it a slightly formal or dramatic register.
Examples
" Gusto nilang mag-alsa. "
Natural Translation
They want to rise up.
Literal Translation
Want of-them to rise-up.
" Gusto ng mga manggagawa na mag-alsa ngayon. "
Natural Translation
The workers want to rise up today.
Literal Translation
Want of plural-, worker to rise up today.
" Dahil sa matagal nang kawalan ng hustisya, nagpasya ang mga magsasaka na mag-alsa laban sa panginoong maylupa. "
Natural Translation
Because of the long absence of justice, the farmers decided to rise up against the landlord.
Literal Translation
Because of long already absence of justice, decided the plural farmer to rise-up against the lord landowner.
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