mag-

Clipping of magnet or magnetic.

mag-

1. Magnetic.

   ‎mag- + ‎lev(itation) → ‎maglev

   ‎mag- + ‎slip → ‎magslip

   ‎mag- + ‎tape → ‎magtape

• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2024), “mag-, adj.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.

Ultimately from Proto-Austronesian *maʀ-. See Tagalog mag-.

mag- (complete nag-, progressive naga-, nag-, ga-, contemplative maga-, mag-, imperative pag-)

1. actor trigger verb prefix, infinitive form
   1. durative action, action or state continuing in time; see Imperfective aspect

      Coordinate terms: mo- (non-durative agent trigger), -on (non-durative patient trigger), paga- -on (durative patient trigger)

      Magluto sila arong orasa. ― They cook food at this time

   2. action not necessarily intentional

      Wala siya magsulti ― He didn't say

   3. do something to oneself

      Gusto kong mag-ilis ― I want to change my clothes

   4. to become something; take an occupation

      Magdoktor siya ― He/she will become a doctor

2. contemplative aspect of mag-

   Synonym: maga-

   Magluto ko ― I will cook

• If the root word begins with a vowel or the root word is a proper noun, a hyphen is inserted after the prefix.

• ‎mag- + ‎ulan → ‎mag-ulan
• ‎mag- + ‎Pasko → ‎mag-Pasko

• The form maga- marking the contemplative aspect is only ever heard of in formal contexts and is largely archaic; mag- is used instead, conflating with the infinitive aspect.

From Proto-Austronesian *maʀ-, likely a portmanteau of the original actor trigger affix *-um- (inherited as Tagalog -um-) and *paʀ- (Tagalog pag-), as is the case in other actor trigger affixes (mang from pang- + -um-, and ma- from pa-/ka- + -um-).

mag- (Baybayin spelling ᜋᜄ᜔)

1. actor trigger verb prefix, used to express:
   1. an action

      Magluluto ako ng pagkain. ― I will cook food.

   2. the taking up of an occupation

      Nagplanong magdoktor si Mary noong 1987. ― Mary planned to become a doctor in 1987.

   3. the use or wearing of something

      Hindi siya marunong mag-Ingles. ― He doesn't know how to speak (use) English.

      Mag-amerikana ka at malamig sa labas. ― Wear a coat because it's cold outside.

   4. a reciprocal action (for some verbs)

      Mag-usap muna tayo. ― Let's talk to each other first.

   5. (with CV reduplication): an action that will be done repeatedly, continually, or intensely

      Magsisisigaw ang mga bata kapag ginawa mo iyan. ― The children would be screaming so much once you do that.

   6. (with root word reduplication): a reciprocal action involving three or more doers

      Magkikita-kita tayo sa susunod na linggo. ― We will see one another next week.

   7. (with root word reduplication): an action to be done occasionally, at random, a little, a bit, now and then, or here and there

      Maglakad-lakad si Pedro sa mall. ― Pedro will walk a bit in the mall.

2. verb prefix with no trigger/focus used to express being, occurrence, or existence

   Magpa-Pasko na bukas! ― It will be Christmas tomorrow!

   Maghahating-gabi na. ― It is almost midnight.

3. noun prefix used to indicate:
   1. relationship between two persons

      ‎mag- + ‎ama (“father”) → ‎mag-ama (“father and child”)

      ‎mag- + ‎asawa (“spouse”) → ‎mag-asawa (“married couple”)

   2. (with CV reduplication): relationship among three or more persons

      ‎mag- + ‎CV- + ‎ina (“mother”) → ‎mag-iina (“mother and children”)

      ‎mag- + ‎CV- + ‎kapatid (“sibling”) → ‎magkakapatid (“brothers and sisters, siblings”)

   3. (with CV reduplication): occupation

      ‎mag- + ‎CV- + ‎saka (“farming”) → ‎magsasaka (“farmer”)

      ‎mag- + ‎CV- + ‎nakaw (“something stolen”) → ‎magnanakaw (“thief, robber”)

• If the root word begins with a vowel or the root word is a proper noun, insert a hyphen after the prefix.

• ‎mag- + ‎aral → ‎mag-aral
• ‎mag- + ‎Pasko → ‎mag-Pasko

• Also see usage notes at -um-.