Magpakita

Magpakita is a Filipino (Tagalog) verb meaning to show, to demonstrate, to reveal, or to appear. It is an actor-focused verb formed with the mag- prefix attached to the root pakita (to show). The form indicates that the subject is performing the action of showing or making an appearance.

Morphology and usage notes

- Infinitive: magpakita

- Present tense: nagpapakita (is showing) or nagpapakita ng something in a general sense

- Past tense: nagpakita (showed)

- Future tense: magpapakita (will show or will demonstrate)

- Object-focused or directive form: ipakita (to show something to someone), ipinakita (showed), ipapakita (will show)

Magpakita is commonly used in two main senses. First, to reveal or present something to another person, often expressed with an object marker such as ng or ang: magpakita ka ng ebidensya (show some evidence). Second, to appear or present oneself in a setting, such as a performance or a gathering: magpakita siya sa klase (he will appear before the class).

Related forms and contrasts

- IPakita (object-focused voice) emphasizes the thing shown: Ipinakita niya ang dokumento sa guro (He showed the document to the teacher).

- Nagpakita ng interes (showed interest) uses nag- for past or experiential aspect and ng to mark the thing exhibited (interes).

Usage notes

- Magpakita foregrounds the actor’s action of showing or appearing.

- Ipaka- or ipakita forms shift focus to the object being shown, rather than the actor.

- The verb covers both literal showing of objects and more abstract displays such as emotions or intentions.

See also: pakita (root meaning to show), ipakita (to show something to someone), magpakita ng (to show [something]); nagpakita (past), nagpapakita (present).