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Ability & Accidental

maka- and ma-

maka- / ma- express ability or accidental action

'be able to / happen to'.

📊 Ability / accidental
Affix Sense Example
maka- be able to (actor) makakita (be able to see)
ma- be able / accidental (object) makain, nabasa
na- completed of ma- nakita (saw)
💬 Examples
Nakakain ako ng isda.
I was able to eat fish.
📝 naka- = managed / able (actor)
Nabasa ko ang libro.
I got to read / happened to read the book.
📝 na- (ma- object focus) = able / accidental
These contrast with intentional verbs

Deliberate vs able / accidental.

💬 Examples
Kinain ko ang keso.
I ate the cheese. (on purpose)
📝 Intentional object focus
Nakain ko ang keso.
I managed / happened to eat the cheese.
📝 ma- = able / accidental
ma- 'see' is irregular and very common

makita / nakita.

💬 Examples
Makita mo siya?
Can you see him/her?
📝 ma- ability (see)
Nakita ko siya.
I saw him/her.
📝 Completed ma- (saw)