Extra Consonants for Loan Words

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

Ng,Nga & Mga

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.


ng

Example:


amoy ng bahay
smell of the house


nga

Example:


ngayon
now


mga

Example:


mga ibon
birds


Tagalog Consonants

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

Tagalog Diphthongs

Category : Pronunciation

diphthong example
ay
bahay
ey
teyp
uy
kuya
oy
baboy
aw
away
ew
ewan
iw
baliw

 


Tagalog Syllables Aka “Abakada”

Tags :

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 It was superceded by the modern Filipino alphabet as the official alphabet of the Philippines in 1987.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

Pronunciation

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!


Tagalog Vowels

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

Tagalog On The Spot

Slang Of The Day

Jowa
lover / boyfriend / girlfriend

Example:
Jowa mo ba si Juan?
Is Juan your boyfriend?