mag-imbestiga
mag-imbestíga with stress marks
to investigate
From root: imbestiga
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
nag-imbestiga
nag-im-bes-TI-ga
investigated
Present (Incomplete)
nag-iimbestiga
nag-i-im-bes-TI-ga
is investigating
Future (Contemplated)
mag-iimbestiga
mag-i-im-bes-TI-ga
will investigate
Usage Note
Mag-imbestiga is the actor-focus form of the Spanish loanword imbestiga, foregrounding the investigating party. It appears in news reporting, police procedurals, and political discourse; the object-focus counterpart imbestigahan is used when the case or subject under scrutiny is the topic.
Examples
" Nag-imbestiga ang pulis. "
Natural Translation
The police investigated.
Literal Translation
Investigated the police.
" Tungkulin ng pulis na mag-imbestiga sa nangyaring krimen. "
Natural Translation
It is the duty of the police to investigate the crime that occurred.
Literal Translation
Duty of police to investigate into happened crime.
" Nangako ang bagong alkalde na mag-imbestiga sa mga reklamo ng katiwalian bago matapos ang unang buwan niya sa puwesto. "
Natural Translation
The new mayor promised to investigate the corruption complaints before the end of his first month in office.
Literal Translation
Promised the new mayor to investigate into the complaints of corruption before to end the first month his in post.
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 workWord family
imbestiga has 1 related form built from the same root.
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Spaced Repetition for Tagalog: How Flashcards Make Words Stick
Cramming Tagalog vocabulary fails. See how spaced repetition — the science behind smart flashcards — makes words stick for the long term.
Mano Po and Filipino Etiquette: A Visitor's Guide
Mano po presses an elder's hand to your forehead as a blessing. Learn who to mano, how to lip-point, and the etiquette that wins over a Filipino family.
How to Say "I Love You" in Tagalog: Phrases & Meaning
Learn how to say I love you in Tagalog. Mahal kita, Iniibig kita, and Filipino terms of endearment for partners, family, and friends — with cultural notes.
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.