Tagalog Sentences: #1 Beginner’s Key To Connect With Filipinos

Tagalog Sentences Ling app

Learning Tagalog sentences is a must if you want to be understood by native speakers.

Especially if you’ve been trying to connect with your aunt, uncles, cousins, and other Filipino friends.

While it is true that English is a second language in the Philippines, nothing is more fulfilling than seeing the locals smile at you and commend you for trying to speak and learn Filipino.

Luckily, the basics of the language are not that hard to master. Plus, if you practice daily, I am confident you can construct spot-on basic sentences.

But don’t worry! In today’s post, we will level up your skills in Filipino and teach you the most basic Tagalog sentence structures you can use anytime!

The Tagalog sentences we will show here can be used during the family reunions or if you’re meeting your Filipino friend from online the first time.

Woman pointing to a chalkboard with the Tagalog sentence Maraming Salamat

What Is The Basic Tagalog Sentence Structure?

A simple, narrative form of Tagalog sentences commonly follows the VSO (Verb-Subject-Object) sentence structure.

For example:

  • Kumain si Marie ng papaya.

However, this sentence structure will change depending on the type of Tagalog sentence.

In English, this Tagalog sentence means, Marie ate the papaya. Notice that in English, it uses the SVO word order instead.

What Are The Types Of Tagalog Sentences?

To better communicate what you mean, you must express yourself using grammatically correct Tagalog sentences.

The word sentence refers to pangungusap in the Tagalog language, and there are four types of it.

Below are the types and examples which you can use.

1. Declarative Sentences – Pasalaysay / Paturol

In Tagalog, declarative sentences are called pasalaysay or paturol. It is used to tell facts and opinions, or make a statement.

These sentences are straight to the point and always end in a period or full stop.

So, next time you hear or read Tagalog sentences that simply share an idea, a fact, an opinion, or an answer to a question, you’ll know it’s a pasalaysay or paturol sentence.

Here are some examples of pasalaysay or paturol sentence:

English TranslationTagalog SentencesSound
I’m going out to shop today.Aalis ako at mag sho-shopping ngayong araw.
We do not have nice clothes.Wala na tayong magandang damit.
The butterfly is flying.Ang paru-paro ay lumilipad.
I am not happy this morning.Ako ay hindi masaya ngayong umaga.
I do not know what else to say.Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang dapat ko pang sabihin.

2. Interrogative Sentences – Patanong

When we want to find out more about something or simply want to spark a Tagalog conversation, we use interrogative sentences.

You can tell if a sentence is interrogative if it asks a question and ends with a question mark.

In Tagalog, we call these sentences patanong. Like the English term, this is a more formal way to say ‘question.’

So, when you want to ask something in Tagalog, remember to use a Patanong sentence. Here are some helpful Tagalog sentences:

English TranslationTagalog SentencesSound
Where are you going next?Saan ka susunod na pupunta?
Do you know how to speak Tagalog?Marunong ka bang magsalita ng Tagalog?
Do you still love me?Mahal mo pa ba ako?
How much is a kilo of taro?Magkano ang isang kilong ng gábi?
What is your name?Ano ang pangalan mo?

3. Imperative Sentences – Pautos / Pakiusap

Imperative Sentence is the bossy type of sentence. It tells you what to do.

It’s like your mom telling you to clean your room or your teacher asking you to finish your homework in Tagalog.

In Tagalog, we call this pautos or pakiusap. Like in English, these sentences are used to tell a command or request someone to do something.

Remember, be friendly when using these sentences!

Because, after all, nobody likes a bossy person! Here are some friendly Tagalog sentences you can use:

English TranslationTagalog SentencesSound
Please close the door.Pakisara ng pinto.
Please clean up later in the afternoon.Pakiligpit ang kalat mamayang hapon.
Please cook later for our guests.Magluto ka mamaya para ating mga bisita.
Please teach me how to do this.Turuan mo ako kung paano gawin ito.
Please find the cup because I forgot where I put it.Pakihanap ng baso dahil nakalimutan ko kung saan ko nilagay ito.

4. Exclamatory Sentences – Padamdam

An exclamatory sentence, or padamdam in Tagalog, likes to express strong feelings or emotions. This type of sentence isn’t satisfied with making a statement or asking a question. It comes with the drama, the passion, and all the emotions in Tagalog!

English TranslationTagalog SentencesSound
Finally! I am sorry it took me long to pay you back.Sa wakas! Pasensya na natagalan akong magbayad sayo.
Oh! I think I am in love with him!Naku! Mahal ko na yata sya!
Run! The fierce dog is coming.Takbo! Paparating na naman ang mabangis na also!
Wow! It is a good news for me!Wow! Magandang balita iyan para sa akin!
Ouch! It hurts!Aray! Ang sakit naman niyan!

How Do You Say Sentence In Tagalog?

The word for sentence in Tagalog is pangungusap.

If you want to ask, “how do I say this sentence in Tagalog?”, it’s, “Paano ko sasabihin ang pangungusap na ito sa Tagalog?

Still itching to ask more questions in Tagalog? Here are some of the questions that language learners like you ask about Tagalog sentences often.

More Examples Of Basic Tagalog Sentences

Want to see more basic sentences? Check out more examples below.

EnglishTagalogSound
How much is this?Magkano po ito?
How is Jenna?Kamusta na si Jenna?
I can goMakakapunta ako
I don’t know him/herHindi ko siya kilala
I live in BGCAko ay nakatira sa BGC
I love him/herMahal ko siya
I want to eatGusto ko ng kumaen

While memorizing how to say Mabuhay (welcome in Tagalog), salamat (thank you in Tagalog), or any other one-word greetings or expressions can help you engage in conversations, you can‘t survive on those alone.

As mentioned earlier, learning Tagalog sentences can help you communicate with Filipino people. However, constructing these sentences can be tricky because words can mean different things!

For example, the Tagalog word basa, could mean wet or read in English, depending on the sentence context and pronunciation.

The same is true for baba, which can be used in Tagalog to refer to one’s chin or to point down.

With all things considered, learning Tagalog sentences is not an easy conquest. But it is a fascinating one to take on.

Tips On Constructing Tagalog Sentences

Did you understand the sentences above or do you need more hints and tips when constructing Tagalog sentences? It’s very easy. Just remember these tips as you take your beginner’s path in your Tagalog language learning journey.

  1. Don’t forget to review the first Tagalog sentence pattern we’ve mentioned. Most basic and simple Tagalog sentences are formed with VSO (Verb-Subject-Object).
  2. Constructing Tagalog sentences can be anything simple. Whether you want to express your hunger, you want to buy something, you want to go somewhere, you can use a basic Tagalog sentence.
  3. There are also Tagalog sentence patterns with prepositional phrases. These are time, place, and manner. These prepositions can be placed before or after the object. For example: Naglaba siya sa bahay. (He did the laundry at home) However, these are not basic Tagalog sentences anymore.
  4. Use the Ling app to explore more beginner-friendly lessons for Tagalog. You can browse unit 1 and the beginner sections to repeat any of the examples given here.
  5. Make at least a calendar of your progress and know where you need to improve. It will greatly help your direction as a beginner of Tagalog.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tagalog Sentences

Can Tagalog Sentences Have A Different Sentence Structure?

Yes, sometimes, Tagalog uses the SVO (Sentence-Verb-Object) as long as there is a direct marker for the subject (usually Si, Ang, Sila, etc.)

For example:

Si Mark ay kumuha ng kamatis.

In English, this sentence means, Mark got tomatoes. This Tagalog sentence also uses the same SVO sentence pattern in English.

What Are The Most Common Tagalog Sentences?

  1. Kamusta ka? (How Are You?)
  2. Anong pangalan mo? (What Is Your Name?)
  3. Ilang taon ka na?
  4. Saan ka nakatira? /

Why Do Tagalog Sentences Have English Words?

English words are taught at Filipino schools at an early age. Also, there are many loan words in Tagalog due to their influence, not just during the American colonization but also in these modern times.

You’ll even find this sentence pattern in other languages in the Philippines, like Visayan, Cebuano, Ilocano, and more.

Tagalog Sentences Made Easy

Again, remember that the Tagalog Sentence pattern starts with the Verb, Subject, and then Object.

There are five types of Tagalog sentences: Pasalaysay / Paturol (Declarative), Patanong (Interrogative), Pakiusap/Pautos (Imperative) and Padamdam (Exclamatory).

As we reach this part of the post, we hope you learned the basic Tagalog sentences.

Please note that these are basically just like how English sentences are used.

Thus, the tone is the same. For instance, whenever you say a sentence that is in an interrogative form, you simply have to say it in a rising sound to signify that it is a question. Easy, right?

Use These Tagalog Sentences With A Language Learning App!

Express yourself in Tagalog with the foundations of the Tagalog language, Tagalog sentences!

These lessons are useful if you’re about to go home to the Philippines or you just want to reach out to a Filipino friend or partner.

What’s next on your journey now? Choose a language learning app that will show you how to really memorize and understand what you’re learning.

With the Ling app, you’ll find hundreds of lessons filled with basic, intermediate, and advanced units to really guide you on how to learn Tagalog language.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it on social media and help us reach more people interested in lessons related to the Tagalog language.

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