John.)
We know that the focus is on the apple because of the marker ang which is closer to the word mansanas (apple).
3. Third, as you may have noticed by now, the affix used for the verb kain (to eat) changes depending on the focus.
When the focus was on the subject or the doer of the action we used um before the first vowel of the root word kain. Thus “um” + “kain” results in kumain. When the focus was on the object “apple,” we used the affix in before the first vowel of the root word kain. Thus, “in” + “kain” results in kinain.
As you read and speak Tagalog/Filipino, a good knowledge of affixes will be helpful. Let us go back to our root word kain or “eat.”
With the affix:
• pag → “pagkain.” The affix pag, usually used for nouns, gives us a clue that “pagkain” means “food.”
• nagpa → “nagpakain,” and means you did something for others. “Nagpakain ako sa mga kaibigan ko.” (I fed or gave food to my friends.)
• pina → “pinakain,” and means someone did something for you. “Pinakain ako ng kaibigan ko.” (My friend fed or gave food to me.)
• pa → “pakain,” which you use when asking a favor. “Pakain!” (Please let me eat some of the food you have.)
Some affixes also give you clues to the meaning of words. The affix ka, for example, connotes relationships. A few words that start with ka are kapatid (brother/sister), kaibigan (friend) and kaklase (classmate).
The affix ma is usually used for adjectives: mabait (good person), maganda (beautiful), matangkad (tall person).
4. Finally, most Filipino language scholars are of the opinion that Tagalog/Filipino does not have tenses, but aspects. Instead of past, present, and future tenses, Tagalog/Filipino has completed, incompleted, and contemplated aspects.
Completed action—Kumain ako ng mansanas. (I ate an apple.) (literally, Ate I marker apple.)
Incompleted action—Kumakain ako ng mansanas.
(I am eating an apple.) (literally, Eating I marker apple.)
Contemplated action—Kakain ako ng mansanas.
(I will eat an apple.) (literally, Will eat I marker apple.)
For the equivalent of the present perfect tense, simply add the word na.
For example, in response to the question, “Have you eaten?” we can answer: Kumain na ako. (I have eaten.) (literally, Eaten already I.)
Or in response to the question “Have you ever eaten an apple?” we can use the affix naka-: Nakakain na ako ng mansanas. (I have eaten apples.) (literally, Have eaten already I marker apple.) Here the verb is used with the affix naka, connoting “have eaten.”
Many people tend to be overwhelmed by all these grammar rules. But this is what I think: your goal is not to have the most perfect grammar. It is to use the language to communicate. Remember that most Filipinos will not mind a grammar slip here and there…so just start speaking!
* In recent years, you may find that many Filipino-Americans, Filipino Canadians or those born in other countries who are of Filipino descent have studied the baybayin as a way of learning more about their heritage. There are websites such as www.baybayin.com and www.eaglescorner.com/baybayin/baybayin.html which you may want to explore.
PART ONE
Common Expressions and Key Words
HI! GOODBYE! GREETINGS
| The Philippines | Pilipínas (Pi-li-pí-nas)/ |
| Filipinas (Fi-li-pí-nas) | |
| Republika ng Filipinas | Republika ng Pilipinas |
| (Re-pub-li-ká nang Pi-li-pi-nas) | |
| the Tagalog language | Tagalog (Ta-gá-log) |
| Filipino language | Filipino/Pilipino |
| (Fi-li-pí-no/Ta-gá-log) | |
| Filipino men | Filipino/Pilipino |
| (Fi-li-pí-no/Pi-li-pí-no) | |
| Filipino women | Filipina/Pilipina |
| (Fi-li-pí-na/Pi-li-pí-no) | |
| Filipino American | Filipino Amerikano |
| (Fi-li-pí-no A-me-ri-ká-no) | |
| Manila | Maynila (May-ni-là) |
Here are some common greetings and responses:
Kumusta ka?
(Ku-mus-tà ka)
Mabuti. Salamat.
(Ma-bu-ti. Sa-la-mat)
Okay lang.
(O-kay lang)
It is not unusual to use Miss, Mister, Mrs. and Ms. with surnames. However, we have included here their equivalents in Filipino/Tagalog in case you may hear these words spoken in the country. Also, know that Filipinos have a fondness for titles. For example, professionals are usually addressed in this manner: “Doctor Lumbera,” “Engineer Icasiano,” or “Attorney Taguiwalo.”
Magandang umaga, Ginoong Cruz!
(Ma-gan-dáng u-ma-ga, Gi-no-ong Cruz)
Magandang hapon, Ginang Santos!
(Ma-gan-dáng ha-pon, Gi-nang San-tos)
Magandang gabi, Binibining Pineda!
(Ma-gan-dáng ga-bi, Bi-ni-bi-ning Pineda)
When you are visiting a friend’s house, knocking or using the doorbell, and would like to signify your presence:
Tao po! (literally, there is a person here!)
