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Adjectives & Adverbs
Descriptive words with ma-, reduplication for degree, adverbs of manner and frequency
ma- plus root = adjective
common adjective formation
mah-
Malinis (clean), matamis (sweet), malamig (cold)
napaka- intensifier
very/extremely plus adjective
nah-pah-kah-
Napakaganda = extremely beautiful; stronger than very
pinaka- superlative
most plus adjective
pee-nah-kah-
Pinakamaganda = the most beautiful
Mas mabilis siya kaysa sa akin.
He/she is faster than me.
mahs mah-bee-lis see-yah kigh-sah sah ah-kin
Comparative: mas plus adj plus kaysa sa plus standard
Gaano kaganda si Maria?
How beautiful is Maria?
gah-ah-noh kah-gahn-dah
Gaano ka- asks about degree of adjective
mabilis na mabilis
very very fast (full reduplication for intensity)
mah-bee-lis nah mah-bee-lis
Full reduplication with na intensifies adjective
madalas, minsan, palagi, hindi kailanman
often, sometimes, always, never
mah-dah-lahs, min-san, pah-lah-gee
Frequency adverbs placed before or after verb
dahan-dahan
slowly
dah-han dah-han
Full reduplication of dahan (slow/careful) creates manner adverb
Napakalamig ngayon.
It is very cold today.
nah-pah-kah-lah-mig ngah-yon
Napaka- intensifier as predicate; no subject needed for weather
Pinakamahusay siyang manlalaro.
He/She is the best player.
pee-nah-kah-mah-hoo-say see-yahng
Pinaka- superlative plus -ng ligature before modified noun