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nag-

completed action marker

affix NAG Grammatical origin Very Common

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

Beginner

" Nag-aral ako kahapon. "

Natural Translation

I studied yesterday.

Literal Translation

Studied I yesterday.

Intermediate

" 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.

Advanced

" 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.

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