Tagalog Roots Used as Verbs

mahal

loved

Mahal ko si Frederik.

I love Frederik.

Lit. Frederik is loved by me.

kilala

known (used to refer to persons)

Kilala ko si John.

I know John.

Lit. John is known by me.

alam

known (used to refer to things or ideas)

Alam ko ang pangalan niya.

I know his/her name.

Lit. His/her name is known by me.

Alam kong babalik si John.

I know that John will come back.

Lit. John will come back, is known by me.

suot

worn

Suot ko ang T-shirt.

I’m wearing the T-shirt.

Lit. The T-shirt is worn by me.

dala

brought, carried

Dala ko ang laptop.

I brought the laptop.

Lit. The laptop is brought by me.

sabi

said

Sabi ko, nandito siya.

I said, he/she’s here

akala’

thought (mistakenly)

Akala’ ko, nandito siya.

I thought (mistakenly) he/she was here.