lagi
/ˈlaɡiʔ/
The English word "always" is translated to Tagalog as lagi.
lagi is an adverb used to describe an action or state that occurs at all times.
Meaning: at all times (adv)
Which one should you use?
While lagi and palagi both mean "always", lagi is more common in casual, everyday conversation, whereas palagi can sound slightly more deliberate or formal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The related form palaging is also used to mean "always" in Tagalog.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlaɡiʔ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse lagi (always) with madalas (often).
Did you know?
- Tagalog uses lagi for frequency, but to express 'forever' in a romantic or eternal sense, speakers switch to magpakailanman, as lagi is too mundane for poetry.
- In Indonesian, a close relative of Tagalog, the word lagi can mean 'again' or 'still', showing how a single root evolved into different concepts of time and repetition across Southeast Asia.
- The word lagi is frequently paired with na to create lagi na, which transforms 'always' into a sense of 'now consistently' or 'starting to happen all the time'.
Examples in context
- Hindi siya masaya lagi.She is not always happy.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is not always happy using lagi.Tatoeba #1020810 by lareith, translation #316650 by CK
- Laging tumatahol ang aso ko.My dog is always barking.This sentence shows how to describe a dog that is always barking using laging.Tatoeba #5214745 by kanlaon, translation #5296268 by katalex
- Dapat lagi tayong handa para sa isang lindol.We should always be fully prepared for an earthquake.This sentence demonstrates how to express the need to always be prepared using lagi.Tatoeba #8954449 by fishda, translation #248893 by Jesse
- Palagi akong narito para sa iyo.I am always here for you.
- Palagi kong ginagawa ang pinakamahusay na maaring gawin.I always do my best.
- Palagi kong sinusubukan na maging positibo sa buhay.I always try to be positive in life.
- Lagi kang nandito sa piling ko.You're always here with me.
- Lagi kong kasama ang aking mga kaibigan.I am always with my friends.
- Lagi kang sumusuko agad.You always give up easily.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ricardo and Jasmine are talking about a busy local market.
- JasmineMaraming tao lagi sa palengke.There are always many people at the market.
- RicardoOo, lagi silang siksikan doon.Yes, they are always crowded there.
- JasmineMahirap maglakad kapag ganito lagi.It is hard to walk when it is always like this.
- RicardoKailangan nating mag-ingat lagi.We need to be careful always.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “always” translations and entries lagi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lagi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
