magtiba
magtibâ with stress marks
to cut down a banana tree
From root: tiba
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
nagtiba
nag-ti-BA
cut down
Present (Incomplete)
nagtitiba
nag-ti-ti-BA
is cutting down
Future (Contemplated)
magtitiba
mag-ti-ti-BA
will cut down
Usage Note
Magtiba is the actor-focus infinitive of tiba, meaning to fell a banana plant by cutting it at the base — a routine agricultural task in Filipino households since banana plants must be cut down after fruiting so offshoots can grow. In colloquial speech, tiba also means a windfall or unexpected gain.
Examples
" Magtiba tayo ng saging. "
Natural Translation
Let's cut down a banana tree.
Literal Translation
To-cut-down-banana-tree we of banana.
" Trabaho ng mga magsasaka ang magtiba ng saging kapag hinog na. "
Natural Translation
It is the farmers' job to cut down banana trees when the fruit is ripe.
Literal Translation
Job of farmers the to-cut-down-banana-tree of banana when ripe already.
" Tuwing umaga ay maagang magtiba ang aking lolo sa bukid para may maibenta siyang hinog na saging sa palengke. "
Natural Translation
Every morning my grandfather cuts down banana trees early in the field so he has ripe bananas to sell at the market.
Literal Translation
Every morning is early to-cut-down-banana-tree the my grandfather in field so there to-sell he ripe banana in market.
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
tiba 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 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.
Mano Po and Filipino Etiquette: A Visitor's Guide
Mano po presses an elder's hand to your forehead as a blessing. Learn who to mano, how to lip-point, and the etiquette that wins over a Filipino family.
How to Say "I Love You" in Tagalog: Phrases & Meaning
Learn how to say I love you in Tagalog. Mahal kita, Iniibig kita, and Filipino terms of endearment for partners, family, and friends — with cultural notes.
Ang, Ng, Sa: The 3 Tagalog Case Markers Explained
Ang, ng, sa are the three Tagalog case markers every noun takes. Learn what each does, the personal forms si/ni/kay, plurals with mga, and clear examples.