Essential Tagalog Vocabulary for Filipino Language Learners

Essential Tagalog Vocabulary Reference

Grammatical Markers

Subject Markers

• Ng/Mga: Marks singular (or plural) common nouns.
• Si/Sina: Marks the name of a singular (or plural) person/animal.
• Ako: I/Me
• Ikaw: You (singular)
• Siya/Sila: He/She/They
• Tayo: We (inclusive)
• Kami: We (exclusive)

Direct Object Markers

• Ng/Mga: Marks singular (or plural) common nouns or proper place or thing.
• Ni/Nina: Marks the name of a singular (or plural) person/animal.
• Akin/Ko: Mine
• Mo/Iyo/Ninyo: Yours
• Niya/Nila: His/Hers/Theirs
• Kaniya/Kanila: Ours

Location Markers

• Nasa: In, at, on (followed by a noun indicating location).
• Sa: In, at, on (followed by an action word).
• Taga-: From where (origin).

Time and Linking Words

Time Markers

• Noong: Past time marker.
• Tuwing: Habitual time marker.
• Sa: Future time marker.
• Kahapon: Yesterday.
• Kanina: Earlier.
• Araw-araw: Everyday.
• Gabi-gabi: Every night.
• Linggo-linggo: Every week.
• Oras-oras: Every hour.
• Mamaya: Later.
• Lagi: Always.

Adjective Linkers

These suffixes are added to adjectives:

• "-ng": Added to adjectives ending in a vowel.
• "-g": Added to adjectives ending in "n".
• "na": Added to adjectives that end in a consonant other than "n".

Spatial Terms

• Kanan: Right
• Kaliwa: Left
• Kanto: Corner
• Gitna: In between
• Harap: In front
• Likod: Behind
• Tabi: Next to

Calendar Terms

Months

• Enero: January
• Pebrero: February
• Marso: March
• Abril: April
• Mayo: May
• Hunyo: June
• Hulio: July
• Agosto: August
• Setyembre: September
• Oktubre: October
• Nobyembre: November
• Disyembre: December

Days of the Week

• Lunes: Monday
• Martes: Tuesday
• Miyerkoles: Wednesday
• Huwebes: Thursday
• Biyernes: Friday
• Sabado: Saturday
• Linggo: Sunday

Time (O'clock)

• Ala una: 1 o'clock
• Alas dos: 2 o'clock
• Alas tres: 3 o'clock
• Alas kuwatro: 4 o'clock
• Alas singko: 5 o'clock
• Alas sais: 6 o'clock
• Alas siyete: 7 o'clock
• Alas otso: 8 o'clock
• Alas nuwebe: 9 o'clock
• Alas diyes: 10 o'clock
• Alas onse: 11 o'clock
• Alas dose: 12 o'clock

Parts of the House

General House Areas

• Banyo: Bathroom
• Balkonhe: Balcony
• Bodega: Storage/Warehouse
• Garahe: Garage
• Ibaba: Downstairs
• Itaas: Upstairs
• Kusina: Kitchen
• Labahan: Laundry room

Komedór (Dining Room)

• Mesa: Table
• Plato: Plate
• Silya: Chair
• Tinidor: Fork
• Kutsilyo: Knife
• Kutsara: Spoon
• Baso: Cup

Sala (Living Room)

• Telebisyon: TV
• Sopá: Couch/Sofa
• Bintana: Window
• Libro: Book
• Sahig: Floor

Kuwarto (Bedroom)

• Kobrekama: Bedspread
• Kama: Bed
• Unan: Pillow
• Tokador: Dresser
• Pinto: Door