From root: bala
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
nagbala
nag-ba-LA
threatened
Present (Incomplete)
nagbabala
nag-ba-ba-LA
threatening
Future (Contemplated)
magbabala
mag-ba-ba-LA
will threaten
Usage Note
Magbalâ is a formal or literary term used when threatening someone with harm, consequences, or danger. It is less common in casual conversation than synonyms like magbanta, often appearing in older literature or formal warnings.
Examples
" Ayaw niyang magbala. "
Natural Translation
He doesn't want to threaten.
Literal Translation
Dislike he threaten.
" Ayaw niyang magbalâ ng kaaway. "
Natural Translation
He doesn't want to threaten an enemy.
Literal Translation
Dislike he threaten of enemy.
" Nagbala ang matandang pinuno ng kaparusahan sa sinumang mangahas na sirain ang kapayapaan sa nayon. "
Natural Translation
The old leader threatened with punishment anyone who would dare to disturb the peace in the village.
Literal Translation
Threatened the old leader of punishment to whoever dare to destroy the peace in village.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workWord family
bala has 6 related forms built from the same root.
Related Words
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