magsabi
magsábi with stress marks
to say
From root: sabi
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
nagsabi
nag-SA-bi
said
Present (Incomplete)
nagsasabi
nag-sa-SA-bi
is saying
Future (Contemplated)
magsasabi
mag-sa-SA-bi
will say
Usage Note
Magsabi is the actor-focus mag- form of sabi, placing the speaker at the center of the utterance. One of the most common reporting verbs in Tagalog; pair with sabihin when the content of what is said, rather than the speaker, is the sentence focus.
Examples
" Gusto kong magsabi ng totoo. "
Natural Translation
I want to tell the truth.
Literal Translation
Want by-me to-say of truth.
" Mahirap magsabi ng sikreto sa taong madaldal. "
Natural Translation
It is hard to say a secret to a talkative person.
Literal Translation
Hard to say of secret to person talkative.
" Natakot akong magsabi sa aking magulang tungkol sa nasirang baso, kaya nanatili akong tahimik buong gabi. "
Natural Translation
I was afraid to tell my parents about the broken glass, so I stayed quiet the whole night.
Literal Translation
Afraid I to-say to my parent about the broken glass, so stayed I quiet whole night.
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