There’s more to discover about the Philippines than just its outstanding scenery! If you’re a serious language learner like me, it’s inevitable to pick up the Tagalog language as a new skill today, right?
Today, let us explore the Tagalog alphabet to help you recognize words instantly and pronounce them like a local.
At the end of the day, having the ability to understand at least the basic letters can help you navigate the country in style.
It will also help you understand the linguistic and cultural tidbits that you will find among Filipinos. Fortunately, this topic is straightforward to learn.
If you are ready to learn more Tagalog words and vocabulary through the Filipino alphabet, then let’s get it on!
Table of Contents
Tagalog Alphabet: 3 Filipino Writing Systems
There are three Filipino writing systems and alphabets in the country.
The first one is the Baybayin or Alibata, which is the earliest form of writing and the pre-colonial writing script in the country.
The ancient people in the country used the Baybayin during the 16th and 17th centuries.
The second one is the Abakada or the Pilipinong Alpabeto, used from the 1930s until 1976 when the country was introduced and adapted the Latin alphabet.
This writing system was influenced by the former American colonists from their English Alphabet. It has 20 letters, including ng, and the letters c, f, j,q, v, x, and z are excluded.
The last one is the Modern Filipino Alphabet, which is the same as Abakada, but the letters c, f, j, ñ, q, v, x, and z are added. In Tagalog, it is called Modernong Alpabeto sa Filipino.
Below are examples of the Filipino writing system and Filipino Alphabet:
1. Baybayin Script
Baybayin is a precolonial and ancient Brahmic writing system that was used in the Philippines until the 17th century when the Latin script was introduced.
2. Abakada Alphabet
The Abakada alphabet was developed by the writer and senator of the Philippines, Lope Santos Y Canseco.
The alphabet is a version of the Latin script specifically created for the Tagalog language, as it represents its sounds.
3. Modern Filipino Alphabet
The Modern Filipino Alphabet takes the 20 letters from Abakada and adds eight new consonants (c, f, j, ñ, q, v, x, and z) for 28 letters. Check out Table 1.2 below for more information.
What Is The Modern Tagalog Alphabet
The Modern Filipino Alphabet or Tagalog Alphabet (Makabagong Alpabetong Pilipino) is the current and official alphabet used today.
It started in the year 1976 to align it with the international standard.
It has 28 letters, and the Tagalog writing system and pronunciation are pretty similar to the English Alphabet.
Tagalog Vowels
There are five vowels or patinig in the Tagalog Alphabet, which is the same as the English alphabet.
Tagalog Vowel | Pronunciation | Sound |
---|---|---|
A a | ah (as in “father”) | |
E e | eh (as in “bet”) | |
I i | ee (as in “see”) | |
O o | oh (as in “go”) | |
U u | oo (as in “food”) |
Tagalog Consonants
The remaining 23 letters are consonants or katinig in the Tagalog Alphabet. You may refer to Table 1.2 for more information.
Filipino Language: An Overview
Just like the islands of the Philippines, there are also several languages and dialects you can hear when traveling around the country’s regions.
You may listen to a Tagalog word similar to a Malay or Spanish word. The Malay, Spanish, and Chinese colonization profoundly influenced the Filipino language.
Aside from them, the Japanese and Americans also played a significant role in conceptualizing the Filipino language.
The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino stipulated that the national language of the Philippines is ‘Filipino‘ and the lingua franca of Filipinos.
Aside from that, Filipino dialects are also used in different parts of the country. These dialects may differ in how they are pronounced (also known as punto), but the Filipino writing system is still the same.
How Do You Say Alphabet In Tagalog?
The Tagalog word for alphabet is alpabeto.
Don’t confuse it with the official name of the Tagalog script which is abakada!
Practice Tagalog Alphabet With A Partner With These Sentences
Now that you’re more than just a beginner language learner, take a look at these intermediate to advanced Tagalog grammar and sentences.
Tips To Efficiently Memorize The Tagalog Alphabet
Remember, as a language learner, it’s your duty to upscale your Tagalog language skills.
If you have been learning for a while or are just a beginner, here are some of the best tips we can impart for your Tagalog language learning journey.
- It is not really required to learn alphabets first. Try to listen to audio lessons, watch Tagalog dramas, movies, or songs. Then, you will become familiar with the Tagalog pronunciation which will help you recognize the letters.
- The Tagalog alphabet is written in Latin/Romanized script. It doesn’t contain extra vowels other than the a e i o u. But, some of them may sound like longer sounding vowels.
- Although the Foreign Service Institute says that Tagalog is Category III in hardest to learn languages, it’s really not that hard. You just need to know the basic Tagalog sentence pattern and you’re all set.
- Like any other ways you’ve learned your alphabet, it’s best to start writing them on your notebook or any kind of paper.
- If you want to learn Tagalog alphabet on the go, use the Ling app. It contains a speaking practice, some culture notes, and an exam to review all the lessons covered.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Tagalog Alphabet
How Many Letters Are In The Tagalog Alphabet?
There are 20 letters in the Tagalog alphabet.
How many letters are in the Filipino alphabet?
There are 28 letters in the Filipino alphabet which is now the official alphabet of the Philippines. It has replaced the previous Tagalog alphabet.
How do I learn the Tagalog alphabet?
We recommend using the Ling app to learn more about the Tagalog alphabet. It has short lessons for writing, speaking, listening, and reading.
You can also use the Ling app to read about culture notes and grammar lessons about Tagalog.
What’s Next After Learning The Tagalog Alphabet?
What have you learned from Tagalog alphabet today? It is now more known as the Modern Filipino alphabet called Modernong Alpabeto sa Filipino.
Since the Filipino language (specifically the Filipino alphabet) is similar to the English alphabet, it is not hard to learn.
The Tagalog words have the same sounds and writing system, and some are adapted to foreign words from other countries.
Moreover, Tagalog speakers and other native speakers of dialects in the country are known to be among the greatest English speakers in Southeast Asian countries.
What’s next for you, are you going to deep dive into the idioms, transition phrases, proverbs, and Tagalog slangs?
Let us know by commenting your thoughts here or on Ling’s social media pages!
Make The Tagalog Language Easy To Learn Now!
Do you want to discover more about the Tagalog alphabet and learn the Tagalog Language? Learning Filipino words is like learning English, so there’s no reason for Tagalog to be hard to understand.
If you are passionate about this language, try the best learning language application to help you achieve this goal by downloading the Ling app.
Did you know, the Ling app is the only complete app that has beginner, intermediate, and advanced lessons for the Tagalog language?
So, learn Tagalog language right now and immerse yourself deeper in this unique and beautiful language.