@Diegocorry
1. It is commonly used.
2. It is normally followed by “lang” or “pa lang” which translates to “just”.
The prefix is “ka” and it is used with an “event” that is not necessarily a verb. It functions like the adverb “just” in relation to time. It is attached to a root word and its first syllable is repeated. However, I think in some Tagalog regions they tend to repeat the prefix instead and that would make it look like the prefix is “kaka-”.
When relating the event to someone, the possessive form of the noun or pronoun is used.
KaGIGIsing = KAKAgising = to have just awakened
Kagigising/Kakagising ko lang (ngayon). = I just woke up (now).
Kaaalis/Kakaalis lang ni Peter. = Peter has just left.
Kakakain mo lang ba? = Have you just eaten?
Kabe-birthday mo lang noong isang buwan. = You just had your birthday last month.
Kaa-alas singko lang nang dumating si John. = It was just a little past five o’clock when John arrived.
- In the last example, since time can’t be owned, no possessive noun or pronoun was used.
This “ka” prefix gives a recentness meaning to an event, although the meaning is relative. It may not also be referring to the present.
Kagigising ko lang nang dumating si John. = I just woke up when John arrived.
- The waking up is in relation to John’s arrival, whenever that was in the past.
Kakakasal lang nila noong 2015. = They just got married in 2015.
- Although the event took place four years ago, it was considered “recent” by the speaker.
The “pa” is sometimes added before “lang” to add emphasis to the real or relative recentness of the event.
Kagigising ko pa lang ngayon. - The speaker wanted to emphasize that he just woke up maybe like a few seconds ago.
Kakakain mo pa lang nagugutom ka na naman? = You just ate and now you’re hungry again?
Kakakasal pa lang nila noong 2015 nang huli ko silang nakita. = They were newly married in 2015 the last time I saw them.