When we say Asian languages, what usually comes to mind are distinctive and complicated writing systems like those we usually encounter with Japanese, Chinese, Korean, or Thai scripts. However, if there is one country that embraces the ISO basic Latin alphabet then that would be the Philippines. This reason alone probably made you wonder if learning Tagalog is easy or not.
There are many truths about learning Tagalog. Read on as we present our five major truths behind this language and why it is one of the easiest to learn!
Table of Contents
The Five Truths About Learning Tagalog
A lot of people are asking if Tagalog is a difficult language to learn for total beginners. I understand that most language enthusiasts are quite unsure of whether they can learn the vocabulary and put the grammar to use when speaking or writing. But trust me on this, the Tagalog language is actually easy to learn. In fact, I have here five truths about learning Tagalog.
The Filipino Alphabet Is Written Using The Western Roman Style
Unlike other Asian languages, the Tagalog language is using the same alphabet used in the English language. The only difference is the fact that it has two additional letters, “ng”(pronounced as endzi) and the “ñ” (pronounced as enye) after the letter “n” to accommodate traditional words that are originally from Spanish vocabulary. Nowadays, additional letters in Tagalog are affixes that can be used as Tagalog adverbs, adjectives, verbs, and nouns.
Some of the examples include the following:
| English | Tagalog | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| Pineapple | Piña or Pinya | |
| Senior | Señor or Senyor | |
| Madam | Doña or Donya | |
| Spain | España or Espanya | |
| Little girl | Niña or Ninya |
The Tagalog Language Loves Repetition To Show Emphasis
The good thing about the Tagalog language is that as long as you know the word, you can simply use it on its own again to show emphasis. It can also be a Tagalog adjective.
Some of the examples include:
Of course, there are still other ways to say the above words but for a total beginner in the language, there is nothing wrong with the basic repetition. In fact, that is considered the regular vocabulary by the locals. You can simply use these words when buying off of the street vendors too.
It Has Adopted Foreign Loan Words And A Combination Of Tagalog And English (Or Taglish)
Since Tagalog reflects the colorful past of the Philippines, Tagalog has also borrowed a few loan words, which are still used even to this day. What usually happens is that these words are spelled in a Tagalog manner, but the pronunciation usually stays the same.
Additionally, since the country’s second language is English, code-switching is rampantly used by many. Here are some examples:
It Uses The Basic VSO (Verb-Subject Order) In Grammar
The Filipino basic word order that you should learn is that the verb is usually at the initial position. Of course, you can still construct sentences in different ways. But more often than not, the Tagalog verb is emphasized while the rest of the words in the sentence are flexible. Here are some examples:
The examples above show you the Tagalog pronoun “siya” (him/her in English) is usually in the middle compares with the English counterpart where the subject is always at the front of the sentence.
The Tones Can Change Meaning Depending On The Stress
Stress and accent marks are significant for Filipinos and they can mean different things if you do not know where to put emphasis when pronouncing a certain Tagalog word. Here are some examples:
| Tagalog word | Stressed End Meaning | Unstressed End Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bayad | Paid | Payment |
| Bayaran | For hire | Pay (verb) |
| Puno | Full | Tree |
| Luto | Cooked | Consensus |
| Tala | Record (verb) | Star |
How Do You Say Truth In Tagalog?
The Tagalog word for truth is katotohanan.
Isn’t it neat to find more facts about the Tagalog language? If you’re ready to speak like a native Tagalog speaker, there are many ways to do so. You can use books, audio lessons, Youtube, and other apps to learn Tagalog. But let’s check out more questions that people like you ask about learning Tagalog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truths In Learning Tagalog
What Are The Common Mistakes People Make When Learning About Tagalog?
Most Tagalog language learners have their Tagalog pronunciation mistakes. Especially if they only focus on learning the alphabet or writing. When learning Tagalog, it’s a must to hear how these words are pronounced correctly. There are many rules for Tagalog pronunciation, such as syllabication, emphasis, and tone.
Is Tagalog Hard To Learn?
Tagalog is hard to learn if your native language isn’t similar. According to FSI, English native speakers may have a hard time learning Tagalog because it’s in category III. It takes about 36 weeks or 900 hours to at least speak advanced-level Tagalog.
Check out our comprehensive guide on discovering if Tagalog is really hard to learn.
Why Learn Tagalog?
Learning Tagalog will improve your memory retention, help you with your social and communication skills, and it will help you speak with most Filipinos.
Other Languages That Are Popular In The Philippines
Now if you are from an English-speaking country then maybe you are also thinking of visiting the Philippines. Come to think of it, this country is one of the best ones out there with its strategic location offering a distinctly tropical climate that is not too hot nor too cold. Add to that is the fact that its native people, the Filipinos, are well educated and are highly proficient in English.
However, do note that some of its citizens also know Spanish and other native languages. In short, you can expect a typical Filipino to know two to three languages! And this is what makes the conversation exciting! Since the country has been under different regimes and has been visited by neighboring countries for trade purposes, the Tagalog language has also evolved throughout the years.
It changed in terms of vocabulary, grammar, and even pronunciation when speaking. This is why if you talk with many Filipinos, it is possible that their set of words maybe be different than what other Filipino colleagues may use.
In fact, the language of the country is so rich to the point that even the Filipino LGBT community has their own good “Beki” lingos or a set of slang that act as a mediator in the diverse number of languages in the Philippines!
The youth also use “jejenese” or “jejemon” language in conversations which is the combination of the internet and texting slang used by millennial hip-hops, hipsters, and out-of-school youth.
Wrapping Up: What Makes The Tagalog Language Beautiful?
The language of the Philippines is so alive as reflected by its growing number. If you are planning to visit the country, I highly suggest that you focus on learning Tagalog vocabulary since it is the most commonly used language by Filipinos. Again, please note that while a significant number uses this in everyday discourse, not everyone is fluent at it so at times you might hear some locals even mispronouncing the words.
In this sense, if you mispronounce anything, you do not have to worry because Filipinos do not have the habit of correcting people. The fact that you are trying your best to speak Tagalog is already enough to put a smile on their faces. And if you are lucky, you might even have a few people who will teach you about it too!
Now, if you are interested in learning this, then I recommend that you take the lessons from my most favorite application, the Ling app. This remarkable platform allows language learners to become immersed with the target language through gamification while improving their vocabulary, teaching the pronunciation and grammar rules, and instructing them on how to write the characters.
If you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it online through your social platforms to help us reach out to other Asian language enthusiasts out there. Also, please do not forget to read our previous posts, vocabulary collections, and more Tagalog-related information, such as the common Tagalog funny phrases, expressing Tagalog flavors like a real Pinoy, and the secrets to Tagalog writing.
Learn The Tagalog Language Today And Speak Like A Native!
Looking forward to adding a few more words and phrases related to this Asian language? Then it is time for you to download the Ling app. Tailored for total beginners, this application is like a full-blown language course right in your pocket! It will teach you the basics and the easiest tricks while ensuring that you progress every day so long as you practice for at least 10 minutes.
From the native conversational phrases, language features, tricky grammar points, and the culture of the Philippines, this application got you covered!
is downloadable online and can be used simultaneously with other learning materials to jumpstart your level in the best way possible. Install it today and start your journey on the right foot with an easy-to-navigate learning buddy, the Ling app.
Updated by CJ
