Language/Tagalog/Grammar/Question-Words
As a Tagalog language teacher with 20 years of experience, I know that one of the most essential aspects of mastering Tagalog is learning how to ask questions using the proper question words. In this lesson, we'll be discussing the Tagalog question words, such as what, where, when, why, and how.
Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Give your Opinion & Negation.
Importance of Learning Tagalog Question Words
Knowing how to ask questions properly in Tagalog is crucial to understanding the language as a whole. Asking questions allows you to engage in conversation, gather information, and express yourself. With the right question words, you can ask specific questions that will help you learn more about Tagalog culture, customs, and the people who speak the language.
Tagalog Question Words and Their Usage
In Tagalog, there are different words for each question word, and each one is used in a particular way depending on the situation. Understanding how to use each question word properly is essential to asking accurate questions that people can understand.
Ano (What)
The word "ano" is used to ask about things or objects. It's a straightforward question word that can be used in a lot of different situations. Whether you're asking about food, places, or a certain thing, you can use "ano" to get an answer.
Examples:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Anong pangalan mo? | A-nong pang-a-lan mo | What is your name? |
| Anong oras na? | A-nong o-ras na | What time is it? |
| Anong gusto mo kainin? | A-nong gus-to mo kai-nin | What do you want to eat? |
| Anong lugar ito? | A-nong lu-gar i-to | What place is this? |
Saan (Where)
The word "saan" is used to ask about places or locations. You can use "saan" to ask where something is or where an event is taking place.
Examples:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Saan ka nakatira? | Sa-a-n ka na-ka-ti-ra? | Where do you live? |
| Saan ang Restaurante? | Sa-a-n ang Re-stau-rante? | Where is the restaurant? |
| Saan ang banyo? | Sa-a-n ang ba-nyo? | Where is the bathroom? |
| Saan tayo magkikita? | Sa-a-n ta-yo mag-ki-ki-ta? | Where will we meet? |
Kailan (When)
The word "kailan" is used to ask about time or when an event is happening.
Examples:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Kailan ka babalik? | Kai-lan ka ba-ba-lik? | When will you come back? |
| Kailan ang birthday mo? | Kai-lan ang birth-day mo? | When is your birthday? |
| Kailan ang exam? | Kai-lan ang ex-am? | When is the exam? |
| Kailan mo ito ginawa? | Kai-lan mo i-to gi-na-wa? | When did you do this? |
Bakit (Why)
The word "bakit" is used to ask about the reason for something or to ask for an explanation. You can use "bakit" to ask why something is happening or why someone did something.
Examples:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Bakit ka umalis ng bahay? | Ba-kit ka u-ma-lis ng ba-hay? | Why did you leave the house? |
| Bakit ka malungkot? | Ba-kit ka ma-lung-kot? | Why are you sad? |
| Bakit ka nagagalit? | Ba-kit ka na-ga-ga-lit? | Why are you angry? |
| Bakit mahal ito? | Ba-kit ma-hal i-to? | Why is this expensive? |
Paano (How)
The word "paano" is used to ask for a method, means, or way to do something. You can use it to ask how to get somewhere, how to cook a dish, or how to do anything else.
Examples:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Paano ka pumunta dito? | Pa-a-no ka pumun-ta di-to? | How did you get here? |
| Paano mo ito ginawa? | Pa-a-no mo i-to gi-na-wa? | How did you do this? |
| Paano magluto ng Adobo? | Pa-a-no mag-lu-to ng a-do-bo? | How to cook Adobo? |
| Paano gumawa ng sulat? | Pa-a-no gu-ma-wa ng su-lat? | How to write a letter? |
Practice Exercises
To practice the Tagalog question words, try answering the following questions:
- Anong pangalan mo?
- Saan ka nakatira?
- Kailan ang birthday mo?
- Bakit ka malungkot?
- Paano magluto ng Adobo?
Conclusion
The Tagalog question words are essential to having a better understanding of the Tagalog language. By learning to ask questions using "ano", "saan", "kailan", "bakit", and "paano," you can communicate better with native Tagalog speakers, and you can ask for help in a more efficient way. Always remember that practice makes perfect, and the more you practice using these question words, the more you'll improve your Tagalog language skills.
Congratulations on finishing this lesson! Explore these related pages to keep learning: Adjectives & How to Use Have.
Videos
QUESTION WORDS IN TAGALOG | Basic Filipino Language ...
Learn Tagalog Question Words || How to Ask Questions in Filipino ...
Other Lessons
- Conditional Mood
- Basic Sentence Structure
- Regular Verbs
- Modal Verbs
- Past and Present Tenses
- Adjectives
- Pronouns
- Subject Verb Object
- Nouns
- Asking Questions
Sources