Vocabulary
maka-
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verb prefix that means “to be able to”; used with um verb roots (AF(a))
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makapag-
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verb prefix that means “to be able to”; used with mag verb roots (AF(a))
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Grammar
Maka- and makapag- verbs are second tier verbs that add the nuance “to be able to” to the root. You may remember that ma- OF verbs often have the same nuance; maka- and makapag- can be considered their AF counterparts. There may be some other nuances, but they are less common so we will not cover them in this book.
Traits of Maka- Verbs
All are AF(a) that do not form imperatives.
Normally used with -um- verb roots.
Maka- Verb Infinitives
To form the infinitive, add maka to the root of the -um- verb.
Ex: maka + root of gumawâ = makagawâ = to be able to do/make
Ex: maka + root of kumain = makakain = to be able to eat
Ex: maka + root of pumuntá = makapuntá = to be able to go
Maka- Verb Aspects
Maka- verbs aspects are formed as shown. Notice that it is similar to ma- verb aspect formation, with the ka of maka getting repeated in uncompleted and contemplated aspects.
Ex: makagawâ
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=> nakagawâ, nakákagawâ, makákagawâ
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Ex: makakain
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=> nakakain, nakakakain, makakakain
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Ex: makapuntá
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=> nakapuntá, nakákapuntá, makákapuntá
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Ex: Nakagawa si David ng adobo.
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= David was able to make adobo.
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Ex: Nakakakain ba sila tuwing gabi?
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= Are they able to eat at night?
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Ex: Makakapunta kami ni Maria sa Maynila.
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= Maria and I will be able to go to Manila.
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Traits of Makapag- Verbs
All are AF(a) that do not form imperatives.
Normally used with mag- verb roots.
Makapag- Verb Infinitives
Add makapag before the root; use a dash if the root begins with a vowel
Ex: makapag + root of mag-aral = makapag-aral = to be able to study
Ex: makapag + root of magbigáy = makapagbigáy = to be able to give
Ex: makapag + root of maglutò = makapaglutò = to be able to cook
Makapag- Verb Aspects
Makapag-verbs are conjugated as shown. Notice that it is similar to ma- verb aspect formation, with ka of makapag getting repeated in uncompleted and contemplated aspects.
Ex: makapag-aral
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=> nakapag-aral, nakakapag-aral, makakapag-aral
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Ex: makapagbigáy
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=> nakapagbigáy, nakákapagbigáy, makákapagbigáy
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Ex: makapaglutò
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=> nakapaglutò, nakakapaglutò, makakapaglutò
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Ex: Makakapagluto ako ng lechon.
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= I will be able to cook the lechon.
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Ex: Gusto niyang makapag-aral sa bahay.
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= She would like to be able to study at home.
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Ex: Nakapagbigay si Jason ng pagkain sa aso.
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= Jason was able to give food to the dog.
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Have you ever...?
In a previous lesson you learned how to ask “Have you ever been to…” using mapuntahan, when the focus was on the place. You can use maka verbs to ask “Have you ever…” when the focus is on the actor. Although the literal translation is not exact, the following is a colloquial structure for asking if someone has ever done something:
Naka/nakapag + root + ka + na + ba? (Tag.) = Have you ever verbed? (Eng.)
Ex: Nakapunta ka na ba sa Pilipinas?
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= Have you ever been to the Philippines? (lit. Were you able to go to the Philippines already?)
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Ans: Hindi pa ako nakakapunta sa Pilipinas.
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= I have not ever been to the Philippines.
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Ex: Nakapagluto na ba siya ng adobo?
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= Has she ever cooked adobo? (lit. Was she able to cook adobo already?)
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Ans: Oo naman!
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= Yeah, for sure!
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Sample sentences
Q1
Have you ever eaten lechon or adobo?
Nakakain ka na ba ng lechon o adobo?
Q2
My companion is able to study english at her work.
Nakakapag-aral ang kasama ko ng Ingles sa trabaho niya.
Q3
I will be able to make my own house, because it is really cheap.
Makakagawa ako ng sarili kong bahay, kasi talagang mura ito.
Q4
Were she and Maria also able to give you (pl.) that thing?
Nakapagbigay rin ba sila ni Maria ng bagay na yun sa inyo?
Q5
He is able to go to Manila every May, but not to Cebu.
Nakakapunta siya sa Maynila tuwing Mayo, pero hindi sa Cebu.
Q6
Diego will be able to cook in that place, so let's go there!
Makakapagluto si Diego sa lugar na yun, kaya pumunta tayo dun!
Q7
Where were you able to buy this? How much?
Saan ka nakabili nito? Magkano?
Q8
Which dog is able to play with the cat inside?
Aling aso ang nakakapaglaro sa pusa sa loob?
Q9
David is from Seattle, so he will be able to go home tomorrow.
Taga-Seattle si David, kaya makakauwi siya bukas.
Q10
Here is the one who was not able to teach basketball due to rain.
Nandito ang hindi nakapagturo ng basketbol dahil sa ulan.
Drills - Lesson 48