important linking words

Before/back then/used to

Dati

• Naging masaya ako dati.
  (I used to be happy.)

• Nagtrabaho siya sa mall dati.
  (He/She used to work at the mall.)

I’ve had many Pinay girlfriends

Formal tagalog:

Marami na akong naging mga Pilipinang kasintahan.

Taglish:

Marami na akong naging Filipina na girlfriend.

Street:

Marami na akong girlfriend na Pinay.

Street + shortcut:

Marami akong Pinay girlfriends dati.

Na

Links adjectives to nouns

• Babae na maganda – a beautiful woman (literally: woman that is beautiful)

Difference in word order between tagalog vs english adjectives

Tradidional tagalog:

noun + na + descriptor
girlfriend na Pilipina

English descriptor + na + noun
Filipina na girlfriend

This is Taglish and influenced by English word order.

Ng

• Marks the object of a verb (like “of” or “-’s” in English)

  • Bumili ako ng pagkain – I bought food (ng marks “food” as the object)

  • Kumanta siya ng kanta – He/She sang a song

• Shows possession or description (like “of”)

  • Kaibigan ng bata – The child’s friend / Friend of the child

• Can link adjectives to nouns (sometimes overlaps with na)

  • Matalino ng estudyante – The student is smart (less common, more poetic)

Nga

1. Adds emphasis / confirmation

   • Totoo nga! – It’s really true!

   • Galing mo nga! – You’re really good!

2. Often softens commands or requests, making them polite

   • Tingnan mo nga ito. – Take a look at this (please / emphasis)

Mga

• Makes nouns plural

  • Kaibigan → Mga kaibigan – Friend → Friends

  • Bata → Mga bata – Child → Children

• Can also be used in titles / collections

  • Mga Kwento ni Lola – Grandma’s stories

Ang

Marks the subject / topic

Like “the” but not always.

Ang saya ko! – I’m so happy!