Action Viewed As Complete
The Completed Aspect (Aspektong Naganap) is used for actions that have started and finished. It is the Filipino equivalent of the English past tense or present perfect, but it focuses on the completion of the action rather than just the time it happened.
How It Works
To form the completed aspect, you modify the verb root or its prefix based on the verb group:
- -um- verbs: The infix -um- is placed before the first vowel of the root. For example, kain (eat) becomes kumain (ate). Note that for this group, the completed form is identical to the neutral form.
- mag- verbs: The prefix mag- changes to nag-. For example, mag-aral (to study) becomes nag-aral (studied).
- ma- verbs: The prefix ma- changes to na-. For example, matulog (to sleep) becomes natulog (slept).
- -in verbs: The suffix -in is removed, and the infix -in- is added. For example, basain becomes binasa (read).
- -an verbs: Unlike -in verbs, these keep the suffix. The infix -in- is added to the root. For example, hugasan (to wash) becomes hinugasan (washed).
- i- verbs: These keep the i- prefix and add the infix -in-. For example, isulat (to write) becomes isinulat (wrote).
Special Rules:
- Vowel-initial roots: If a root starts with a vowel, the -in- infix becomes a prefix. For example, alisin (to remove) becomes inalis.
- L, Y, W, or R roots: The infix -in- often becomes the prefix ni- (e.g., luto becomes niluto).
This aspect is often paired with na (already) to show an action is finished.
Examples (5)
- Kumain ako ng mansanas.
I ate an apple.
Word by Word: Ate I [marker] apple.
Uses the -um- infix in the root 'kain' to show the action is finished.
- Nagluto si Maria ng hapunan.
Maria cooked dinner.
Word by Word: Cooked [marker] Maria [marker] dinner.
The prefix 'mag-' changes to 'nag-' to indicate the completed aspect for this actor-focus verb.
- Binili ko na ang libro.
I have already bought the book.
Word by Word: Bought I already the book.
The object-focus verb 'bilhin' loses its suffix and takes the '-in-' infix. The particle 'na' emphasizes completion.
- Natulog ang bata sa sofa.
The child slept on the sofa.
Word by Word: Slept the child on-the sofa.
For 'ma-' verbs like 'matulog', the prefix changes to 'na-' in the completed aspect.
- Nilinis nila ang bahay kahapon.
They cleaned the house yesterday.
Word by Word: Cleaned they the house yesterday.
The root 'linis' starts with 'L', so the infix '-in-' becomes the prefix 'ni-' (nilinis).
Common Mistakes
Using the progressive when you mean a finished action.
Different MeaningNag-aaral siya kahapon.Nag-aral siya kahapon.'Nag-aaral siya kahapon' is correct, but it means 'He was studying yesterday' (it was ongoing). For a finished action, do not repeat the syllable: 'Nag-aral siya kahapon' (He studied yesterday).
Mixing up a finished period with a present habit.
Different MeaningKumain ako araw-araw.Kumakain ako araw-araw.'Kumain ako araw-araw' is correct when you describe a finished period ('I ate there every day'). 'Kumakain ako araw-araw' describes a habit that continues ('I eat every day').
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the completed aspect, you must first shift your perspective from 'past tense' to 'aspectual completion.' You also need to understand how Filipino verbs are built from roots and affixes, and how the choice of affix is dictated by the focus (alignment) of the sentence.
- Aspect Rather Than Tense
Understanding that Filipino verbs track the completion of an action rather than its placement on a timeline is fundamental to using the completed aspect correctly.
Foundations - One Root Many Words
The completed aspect is formed by applying specific affixes to roots, so understanding how roots and affixes interact is necessary.
Foundations - Focus And Participant Roles
Since the form of the completed aspect changes depending on the focus of the sentence, the learner must understand the relationship between the verb and the focused participant.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- Action In Progress Or Habitual
The counterpart to the completed aspect, used for ongoing or habitual actions.
Level 2 - Action Not Yet Begun
Used for actions that have not yet begun (future-facing).
Level 2 - naAlready / Now
The particle 'na' is commonly used with the completed aspect to mean 'already'.
Level 2 - ni-Ni- Before Certain Initials
Explains why some completed verbs use 'ni-' instead of the '-in-' infix.
Level 2 - Repeating A Syllable
Understanding reduplication helps distinguish the completed aspect from the progressive and contemplated aspects.
Foundations
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Action Viewed As Complete in Bubblegum
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