Language/Tagalog/Grammar/Nouns
Hi Tagalog learners! 😊
In this lesson, we are going to learn about Tagalog nouns. Nouns are one of the central elements of any sentence, and learning how to use them properly is crucial in communicating effectively in Tagalog. So let's jump right in!
Don't miss the chance to check out these pages as you wrap up this lesson: Tagalog Grammar → Verbs → Irregular Verbs, Tagalog Grammar: Regular Verbs, 0 to A1 Course & Basic Sentence Structure.
What are Nouns?[edit | edit source]
A noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In Tagalog, nouns play a crucial role in building sentences since they serve as either the subject or the object of the sentence. Some examples of Tagalog nouns are:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| aso | /a-SO/ | dog |
| bahay | /BA-hay/ | house |
| lapis | /LA-pis/ | pencil |
| pag-ibig | /pag-i-BIG/ | love |
Common Nouns vs. Proper Nouns[edit | edit source]
In Tagalog, there are two types of nouns: common and proper nouns. The difference between the two lies in their specificity. Common nouns are general names for people, places, things or ideas, while proper nouns are specific names for people, places and things.
Here are examples of common and proper nouns:
Common Nouns[edit | edit source]
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| kabayo | /ka-BAY-yo/ | horse |
| kape | /KA-pe/ | coffee |
| pera | /PE-ra/ | money |
Proper Nouns[edit | edit source]
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Pilipinas | /pi-LI-pi-nas/ | Philippines |
| Hanna | /ha-NA/ | Hanna |
| Jose Rizal | /HO-se ri-ZAL/ | Jose Rizal |
Gender and Nouns[edit | edit source]
In Tagalog, nouns don’t have a grammatical gender like other languages such as Spanish or French. However, there are gendered titles that correspond to gendered people like lalaki (male), babae (female), ate (older sister), kuya (older brother), and ading (younger sibling).
Here's an example to help illustrate gender and nouns:
- Person 1: Lalaki siya. (He is a man.)
- Person 2: Anong pangalan niya? (What is his name?)
- Person 1: Si Mark. (His name is Mark.)
Number and Nouns[edit | edit source]
Tagalog nouns have two grammatical numbers: singular and plural. The plural form of a noun is usually formed by adding '-mga' to the beginning of the noun. For example:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| lapis | /LA-pis/ | pencil |
| mga lapis | /MGA LA-pis/ | pencils |
| bahay | /BA-hay/ | house |
| mga bahay | /MGA BA-hay/ | houses |
Possessive Nouns[edit | edit source]
To indicate possession, Tagalog uses a possessive pronoun with the word 'ng' to form a sentence. For example:
- Ang kotse niya. (His car.)
- Ang bahay nila. (Their house.)
Note that the Tagalog word 'ng' serves as the possessive particle, changing the meaning or ownership of the subject. It is also important to note here that Tagalog is a possessive language which means that ownership is often inferred rather than explicit.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
I hope this lesson has helped you gain a better understanding of Tagalog nouns. Remember, practice makes perfect. To improve your Tagalog Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Tagalog grammar - Wikipedia
- Tagalog Nouns: Introduction - Tagalog Language SEASite
- Pag-: Tagalog Noun Affix
Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Tagalog Grammar: Introduction to Tagalog: Past and Present Tenses, Verbs, Questions & Negation.
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Negation
- Questions
- Pronouns
- Give your Opinion
- Adjectives
- How to Use Be
- How to Use Have
- Plurals
- Future Tense