Learn Tagalog Basics From Filipino Language Experts
Category : Pronunciation
Tagalog uses the following additional consonants to the “Abakada” consonants. They are commonly used for names and loan words that are derived from Spanish and English words.
| additional consonants | example |
| c |
chicharon |
| f |
Filipino |
| j |
Jolibee |
| ñ |
Santo Niño |
| q |
Quezon City |
| v |
Vasquez |
| x |
Manuel Roxas |
| z |
Zambales |
Category : Pronunciation
Tagalog makes use of unique consonants ‘ng’, ‘nga’, and ‘mga’. These sounds are produced by touching the top of your mouth with the back of your tongue and producing an ‘n’ sound.
Example:
Example:
Example:
Category : Pronunciation
| consonant | example in Tagalog | corresponding sound in English |
| b | baka | basketball |
| d | daga | darn |
| g | galit | gambit |
| h | hanap | hamburger |
| k | kamay | catapult |
| l | lamig | lamb |
| m | manok | market |
| n | nanay | snack |
| ng | ngayon | ringing |
| p | pancit | pact |
| r | hirap | rat |
| s | sabaw | sand |
| t | tanong | tabloid |
| w | wakas | want |
| y | iyan | yes |
Category : Pronunciation
| diphthong | example |
| ay |
bahay |
| ey |
teyp |
| uy |
kuya |
| oy |
baboy |
| aw |
away |
| ew |
ewan |
| iw |
baliw |
Category : Pronunciation
In 1940, the Philippines adopted an indigenized version of the Latin alphabet for the Tagalog-based Filipino national language known as “Abakada”. It was superceded by the modern Filipino alphabet as the official alphabet of the Philippines in 1987. However, learning “Abakada” is still a vital step to speaking Tagalog.
A B K D E G H I L M N Ng O P R S T U W Y
Rule: Spell or name each consonant with an “a” at the end.
A B K D E G H I L
| A | B | K | D | E | G | H | I | L |
| A | Ba | Ka | Da | E | Ga | H | I | La |
M N NG O P R S T U W Y
| M | N | NG | O | P | R | S | T | U | W | Y |
| Ma | Na | Nga | O | Pa | Ra | Sa | Ta | U | Wa | Ya |
The majority of words in the Tagalog language will be comprised of “Abakada” letters, so get to know them well and practice your pronunciation!
Category : Pronunciation
| vowel | example in Tagalog | corresponding examples in English |
| a |
aso |
around, calm |
| e |
elepante |
enemy, less |
| i |
ibon |
pink, reed |
| o |
oso |
ostrich, oblong |
| u |
unggoy |
urdu, boot |
