From root: laba
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
naglaba
nag-la-BA
washed clothes
Present (Incomplete)
naglalaba
nag-la-la-BA
washing clothes
Future (Contemplated)
maglalaba
mag-la-la-BA
will wash clothes
Usage Note
Maglaba is used specifically for washing clothes or laundry, as opposed to washing hands or dishes (maghugas). It covers the entire laundering process and is a staple term in daily household conversations.
Examples
" Maglaba ka mamaya. "
Natural Translation
Do the laundry later.
Literal Translation
Wash-clothes you later.
" Maglaba ka ng mga damit mo. "
Natural Translation
Wash your clothes.
Literal Translation
Wash-clothes you of plural clothes yours.
" Bago siya umalis papasok, naglaba muna siya ng mga damit at saka nagluto ng almusal para sa mga bata. "
Natural Translation
Before she left for work, she first washed the clothes and then cooked breakfast for the children.
Literal Translation
Before she leave going-in, washed-clothes first she of plural clothes and then cooked of breakfast for plural child.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workWord family
laba has 10 related forms 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.

Na vs -ng in Tagalog: The Linker Rule Made Simple
When do you use na vs -ng in Tagalog? One simple rule, with clear examples, memory tips, and common mistakes explained for English-speaking beginners.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Tagalog?
Survival Tagalog takes ~3-4 weeks and comfortable conversation 6-12 months. FSI's 1,100 hours is the professional bar, not the talking-to-family bar.

Seasons in the Philippines: A Tagalog Guide
The Philippines has two seasons, not four. Learn tag-araw, tag-ulan, and taglamig, the generative tag- prefix, and the weather vocabulary to match.

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.