When it comes to expressing oneself, one of the most critical lessons to master is how to say Tagalog question words in the same way that native speakers say it. Luckily, learning Tagalog is so easy to the point that you can jump-start it just by taking note of this post.
In today’s article, I will walk you through our comprehensive list of question words in Tagalog and example statements on how to use them so that you do not have to search high and low for the best resource. Because here at Ling, learning Tagalog is fun, effective, and easy!
Tagalog Question Words
Whether you are learning Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, or Tagalog, the most critical lesson in any language is how one can convey a question. Just like in the English language, there are also interrogative pronouns in Tagalog language. Here are the most commonly used:
- Sino – “Who”
- Used to ask about people.
- Example: “Sino ang nagluto ng hapunan?” (Who cooked the dinner?)
- Ano – “What”
- Used to ask about things, concepts, or actions.
- Example: “Ano ang iyong paboritong pagkain?” (What is your favorite food?)
- Alin – “Which”
- Used when there is a choice or selection.
- Example: “Alin dito ang sa iyo?” (Which one here is yours?)
- Kanino – “Whose”
- Used to ask about possession or ownership.
- Example: “Kanino ang aklat na ito?” (Whose book is this?)
- Ilan – “How many”
- Used to ask about quantity or number.
- Example: “Ilan ang kapatid mo?” (How many siblings do you have?)
- Nasaan or Saan – “Where”
- Used to ask about place or location.
- Example: “Saan ka nakatira?” (Where do you live?)
- Bakit – “Why”
- Used to ask for reasons or explanations.
- Example: “Bakit ka malungkot?” (Why are you sad?)
- Paano – “How”
- Used to ask about the manner or way something is done.
- Example: “Paano mo ito ginawa?” (How did you do this?)
- Kailan – “When”
- Used to ask about time.
- Example: “Kailan ang kaarawan mo?” (When is your birthday?)
Now, let’s continue with more examples of Tagalog question words you may encounter with Filipino people. These are very handy, and it’s best to remember them as soon as you start your Tagalog learning journey.
More Useful Filipino Question Words
As I have promised, I will give you the most comprehensive list of question words in Tagalog. So, I need you to take down notes or save this page so that you can easily search which of these Tagalog questions you can use based on the situation.
Did you know that you can also learn Tagalog question words and even more with an app? You can do so with the Ling app! It’s a fun and effective language-learning app catering to 60+ languages, including Tagalog. You may get it from Google Play and the App Store if you like.
Commonly Used Question Words In Tagalog For Tourists
In order to provide you with a one-stop solution for all the most native Tagalog question words, I have also compiled some of the most used Tagalog questions that are usually asked by the locals whenever they are communicating or just passing by a tourist. Who knows, you might encounter any of these. So, at least you will have an understanding of what it means.
Now that you understand the most usual questions you may encounter in Tagalog, I think that it is important that you also know how to give proper answers. With this being said, I encourage you to read previous posts like the easiest Tagalog expressions and how to describe the flavors in Tagalog.
Also, you can get to know more about the Philippines by knowing their top tourist destinations and celebrated traditional Tagalog dishes.
Is It Hard To Learn The Tagalog Language?
As I have said, I firmly believe that learning Tagalog is much easier than any other language. Let me give you some reasons why:
- The writing system is heavily influenced by the English alphabet. In fact, learning the additional ñ and ng letters in the alphabet (Tagalog has 28) is already half the battle!
- Tagalog does not have critical spelling points, which means that you can work your way just by writing the words based on how they are pronounced. So, you do not need to search much for resources or textbooks as you can easily teach this to yourself.
- Filipinos are very friendly, and if you travel to the country, you will see that almost everyone will be open to teaching you a few words or so! Yes, even Filipino questions!
As I conclude this article, I hope I was able to shed light on the most useful English translation of the Tagalog question words used for everyday conversations. If you liked this post, please share it on social media so that we can reach language enthusiasts across the world who might also be interested in Tagalog. Also, feel free to comment below and share your thoughts or clarifications with us.
Updated by: Jefbeck
