mag-ingat ka
mag-ingat ka is the Tagalog way to say take care.
mag-ingat ka is a warm parting expression used to wish someone safety, similar to saying 'stay safe' or 'be careful' in English.
Meaning: good-bye (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb mag-ingat (to be careful) and the pronoun ka (you).
Which one should you use?
While mag-ingat ka is used as a parting wish for someone's safety, the verb alagaan is used when referring to the act of nurturing or looking after a person, animal or object.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'take care' to more than one person or to show respect to an elder, change ka to kayo to form mag-ingat kayo.
Did you know?
- The root word ingat shares a common ancestor with similar words in many languages across the Pacific and Southeast Asia through the Proto-Malayo-Polynesian root *iŋat.
- While mag-ingat ka is the standard for 'take care', Filipinos often pair it with the word po to show respect to elders, which is a grammatical marker with no direct English translation.
- While English speakers use 'take care' as a general closing, a Tagalog speaker using mag-ingat is literally invoking a state of being 'vigilant' or 'watchful'.
Examples in context
- Mag-ingat ka sa pagtawid ng daan.Take care when you cross the street.This sentence shows how to use mag-ingat ka when advising someone to be careful while crossing the street.Tatoeba #2766909 by mervert1, translation #280496 by CK
- Ingat po kayo sa inyong biyahe.Take care on your journey.
- Ingat ka palagi, ha?Take care always, okay?
- Ingat ka, Ana!Take care, Ana!
- Mauna na ako, ingat kayong lahat!I'm leaving, take care everyone!
- Ingat ka palagi at magpagaling ka agad!Take care always and get well soon!
- Ingat ka, ha? Text ka pagdating mo.Take care, okay? Text me when you arrive.
- Mag-ingat ka palagi.Always take care.
- Sige, mag-ingat ka.Okay, take care.
Example conversation
Angela and Juan are parting ways at the bus station.
- AngelaDarating na ang bus ko.My bus is arriving.
- JuanSige, mag-ingat ka sa biyahe.Okay, take care on your trip.
- AngelaSalamat, mag-ingat ka rin.Thank you, you take care too.
- JuanPaalam, Angela.Goodbye, Angela.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ka, mag-ingat, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
