mag-
focus on doer; denotes relationship
Also means
When attached to a pair noun (e.g. 'mag-asawa' — husband and wife, 'mag-ina' — mother and child), mag- denotes a reciprocal relationship between two parties.
Usage Note
Mag- is one of the most versatile and frequently used verbal affixes in Tagalog. As an actor-focus verb prefix it marks the doer of an action (e.g. 'magluto' — to cook, 'maglaro' — to play). When prefixed to a paired noun it signals a relationship between two people. Understanding mag- is essential for building Tagalog verbs and expressing intentions.
Examples
" Maglaro tayo sa labas. "
Natural Translation
Let's play outside.
Literal Translation
To-play we at outside.
" Magluto ka. "
Natural Translation
You cook.
Literal Translation
To-cook you.
" Magluto ka na ng hapunan habang naglilinis ako ng mesa para matapos tayo agad. "
Natural Translation
You go ahead and cook dinner while I clean the table so we finish quickly.
Literal Translation
To-cook you already of dinner while cleaning I of table so finish we immediately.
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 Affixes Explained: A Beginner's Guide to Word Building
Tagalog affixes turn one root word into dozens of meanings. Learn prefixes, infixes, suffixes, and circumfixes with clear examples for beginners.
Is Tagalog Hard to Learn? An Honest Answer
Tagalog takes around 1,100 hours to reach professional proficiency. Here is what is easy, what is hard, and what to expect at 3, 6, and 12 months.
Tagalog Root Words: Learn a Few Hundred, Understand Thousands
Tagalog root words unlock vocabulary fast: learn a few hundred and recognize thousands. Real word families, examples, and a practical study strategy.
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.