magsunong
magsunóng with stress marks
to carry on the head
From root: sunong
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
nagsunong
nag-su-NONG
carried on the head
Present (Incomplete)
nagsusunong
nag-su-su-NONG
is carrying on the head
Future (Contemplated)
magsusunong
mag-su-su-NONG
will carry on the head
Usage Note
Magsunong is the actor-focus form of sunong, referring to the traditional practice of balancing baskets, pots, or bundles on top of the head. The skill is still seen in markets and rural communities, where hands-free carrying over distances remains practical.
Examples
" Marunong siyang magsunong ng banga. "
Natural Translation
She knows how to carry a jar on her head.
Literal Translation
Knows she to-carry-on-head of jar.
" Natutong magsunong ng basket ang mga tindera sa palengke. "
Natural Translation
The market vendors learned how to carry baskets on their heads.
Literal Translation
Learned to-carry-on-head of basket the vendors at market.
" Sanay na sanay magsunong ng mga bilao ng bigas ang mga babae sa baryo habang naglalakad sa makitid na daan. "
Natural Translation
The women in the village are very used to carrying trays of rice on their heads while walking along the narrow path.
Literal Translation
Used very to-carry-on-head of plural tray of rice the plural woman in village while walking on narrow path.
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 workWord family
sunong has 1 related form built from the same root.
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Tagalog Word Order: Sentence Structure Made Simple
Why Tagalog puts the verb first, and how ang, ng, and sa markers work. A clear guide to VSO word order, forming questions, and negation.
Tagalog Slang Guide: 20 Words You'll Hear on TikTok
Tagalog slang explained: lodi, petmalu, werpa, astig, chika and more. Decode Filipino TikTok comments, group chats, and pop culture with this practical guide.
Na vs -ng in Tagalog: The Linker Rule Made Simple
When do you use na vs -ng in Tagalog? One simple rule, with clear examples, memory tips, and common mistakes explained for English-speaking beginners.
Philippine Christmas Traditions: World's Longest Holiday
Philippine Christmas traditions run four months — from Ber-month carols to Simbang Gabi dawn masses, Noche Buena feasts, and parol lanterns lighting every street.