mga
plural marker; approximately
Usage Note
Mga is one of the most frequently used words in Tagalog, serving both as a plural marker before nouns and as an adverb indicating approximation before numbers or time expressions. It has no single direct English equivalent and must be learned as a grammatical particle in its own right.
Examples
" Marami ang mga libro. "
Natural Translation
There are many books.
Literal Translation
Many the plural book.
" Ang mga bata ay naglalaro ng masaya sa parke ngayon. "
Natural Translation
The children are playing happily in the park today.
Literal Translation
The plural child is playing of happy in park today.
" Inayos ko na ang mga damit sa aparador bago dumating ang mga bisita mamaya. "
Natural Translation
I already arranged the clothes in the closet before the guests arrive later.
Literal Translation
Fixed by-me already the plural clothes in closet before arrive the plural guest later.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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