Language/Tagalog/Grammar/Irregular-Verbs
As a Tagalog language teacher for over 20 years, I have found that one of the most challenging aspects of learning Tagalog is mastering irregular verbs. In this lesson, we will go over the most commonly used irregular verbs in Tagalog and their conjugation.
What are Irregular Verbs?
Before we dive into specific verbs, let's review what makes a verb "irregular." Regular verbs in Tagalog follow a pattern when conjugated. For example, in the present tense, verbs usually end in "-um" when conjugated with the subject pronoun "ako" (I). For instance, "lumakad ako" means "I walked."
Irregular verbs, on the other hand, do not follow this pattern. They may have unique ways of forming different tenses and may require different affixes for different subjects. It's crucial to memorize them to use them properly in sentences.
Common Irregular Verbs in Tagalog
Here are some of the most commonly used irregular verbs in Tagalog:
Pumunta
Pumunta means "to go." This verb takes on different affixes depending on the subject and the tense you are using. Here's a table to help you visualize its different forms:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Pumunta ako | pumúntá akó | I went |
| Pupunta ako | pupúntá akó | I will go |
| Pumupunta ako | pumupúnta akó | I am going |
Kumain
Kumain means "to eat." Similar to pumunta, kumain also takes different affixes for different subjects and tenses. Here's a table to help you understand its conjugation:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Kumain ako | kumáin akó | I ate |
| Kakain ako | kakáin akó | I will eat |
| Kumakain ako | kumakáin akó | I am eating |
Mag-aral
Mag-aral means "to study." Unlike pumunta and kumain, mag-aral uses the prefix "mag-" to indicate the present tense. Here's how it is conjugated:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Nag-aaral ako | nag-aarál akó | I am studying |
| Mag-aaral ako | mag-aarál akó | I will study |
| Nag-aral ako | nag-aral akó | I studied |
Magsalita
Magsalita means "to speak." This verb uses the prefix "mag-" to indicate the present tense, and the infix "-um-" to indicate the past tense. Here's its conjugation:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Nagsasalita ako | nagsasalitá akó | I am speaking |
| Magsasalita ako | magsasalitá akó | I will speak |
| Nagsalita ako | nagsalitá akó | I spoke |
Tips for Memorizing Irregular Verbs
Memorizing irregular verbs can be daunting, but here are some tips to help you master them:
- Practice using the verbs in different tenses and with different subjects.
- Use them in context by creating simple sentences.
- Listen for them in Tagalog conversations, movies and TV shows.
- Visualize the verb's conjugation by creating tables like the ones above.
By mastering irregular verbs, you'll be well on your way to speaking Tagalog like a native!
Related Lessons
- Asking Questions
- Negation
- Questions
- Pronouns
- Adjectives
- How to Use Be
- Modal Verbs
- Complex Sentence Structures
- Basic Sentence Structure
Sources
Videos
Regular and Irregular Verbs Explained in Tagalog! - YouTube
list of common irregular past participle - English in Tagalog - YouTube