Usage Note
Nag- is one of the core actor-focus prefixes in Tagalog, marking the completed aspect of actor-focus verbs — nagluto means cooked. It is the completed counterpart to the incompleted nagluluto, and is essential for narrating past events.
Examples
" Nag-aral ako kahapon. "
Natural Translation
I studied yesterday.
Literal Translation
Studied I yesterday.
" Nag-aral siya ng mabuti para makapasa sa pagsusulit. "
Natural Translation
He/She studied hard to pass the exam.
Literal Translation
Studied he/she of good to pass in exam.
" Nagtrabaho siya nang husto buong buwan para may pera silang ipambili ng regalo. "
Natural Translation
He worked really hard the whole month so they would have money to buy a gift.
Literal Translation
Worked he intensely whole month so has money they buy-with of gift.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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