Grammar is the foundation of the sentence. How you arrange the words can affect what you want to convey. Tagalog grammar, however, is peculiar in the case of sentence structure.
What is the grammar structure of Tagalog in terms of sentence structure?
Well, it can be compared to a Rubik’s cube. Different techniques can lead to the same conclusion.
If that confuses you, continue reading, and let’s discuss this grammar structure guide of Tagalog.
The Flexibility of Tagalog Sentence Structure
Word arrangement matters in a sentence. Choosing which to emphasize or to use as a subject can totally change the context. This especially rings true for English grammar which follows the Subject + Verb + Object (SVO) word order.
English Grammar Structure
Take a look at these sentences:
- Angela read the book.
- The book read Angela.
- Read Angela the book.
The first sentence has Angela, the subject, doing an action: reading the book. The second sentence has the book as the subject and Angela as the receiver of the action. The third has an implied subject being commanded to read Angela the book.
However, Tagalog is a different story.
Tagalog Grammar Structure
To elaborate on the Rubik’s cube analogy, consider the millions of combinations needed to solve the puzzle. Each combination varies in terms of the steps to be followed. Barring the number of combinations and some exceptions, it resembles Tagalog sentence structure.
Take these sentences, for example:
- Nagbasa si Angela ng libro.
- Si Angela ay nagbasa ng libro.
- Ang libro ay binasa ni Angela.
All the sentences convey the same meaning: that Angela read a book. The difference lies in the emphasis of the sentence.
- The first sentence directly states that Angela, the subject, read a book.
- The second sentence uses a more passive voice.
- The third sentence has “libro” [book] as the subject, and the verb uses the past tense of the in affix, but the meaning still remains the same.
Tagalog Grammar: The VOS/VSO Sentence Structure
The SVO structure is primarily used in English, but not so much for Tagalog (unless you want to sound like you just participated in a Balagtasan). Tagalog mostly follows the Verb + Object + Subject (VOS) or Verb + Subject + Object (VSO) structure, especially if you want to sound more casual.
For example:
- VOS
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Naglalaro ng bola si Karlos. |
Karlos is playing with a ball. |
-
- Verb (naglalaro | playing) + Object (bola | ball) + Subject (Karlos)
- VSO
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Naglalaro si Karlos ng bola. |
Karlos is playing with a ball. |
-
- Verb (naglalaro | playing) + Subject (Karlos) + Object (bola | ball)
- SVO
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Si Karlos ay naglalaro ng bola. |
Karlos is playing with a ball. |
-
- Subject (Karlos) + Verb (naglalaro | playing) + Object (bola | ball)
While the SVO version can still be used, the VOS and VSO version sounds more natural and conversational.
Tagalog Grammar: Identifying the Subject
The subject is usually determined by the use of the articles “si” and “ang” before it. “Si” is an untranslateable word used to refer to a proper noun, while “ang” can be translated to the, a, and an.
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Lumalangoy si Anna sa dagat. |
Anna is swimming in the ocean. |
|
Tumatalbog ang bola ng malakas. |
The ball is bouncing loudly. |
Of course, there are some exceptions. In this case, pronouns [panghalip]. Pronouns such as ako, ikaw, siya, tayo, kami, kayo, and sila do not need any preceding article to be the subject.
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Naglalaba siya ng kanyang damit sa labas. |
He/She is washing his/her clothes outside. |
|
Naglakad kami papuntang parke. |
We walked towards the park. |
|
Sinabi niya ang totoo. |
He/She told the truth. |
|
Nagsulat ako ng sanaysay. |
I wrote an essay. |
So far, there’s only been declarative [pasalaysay/paturol] sentences. What about the other types of sentences?
Diversifying Your Sentence Structure
If you’re really serious about learning Tagalog, you need to know how to construct different types of sentences. Here are the four types of sentences used in Tagalog and some examples.
1. Declarative Sentences [Pasalaysay/Paturol]
These are sentences that state a fact or statement. They usually go straight to the point and always end with a period.
| Structure | Tagalog | English |
|---|---|---|
|
VOS |
Naglilinis ng sahig si Johnny. |
Johnny is cleaning the floor. |
|
VSO |
Kumakain si Elena ng balut. |
Elena is eating balut. |
|
SVO |
Ako ay sasakay ng eroplano. |
I will ride an airplane. |
Of course, you don’t always have to have an object or a verb to create a declarative sentence.
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Nakikinig ako. |
I’m listening. |
|
Ako ay isang magsasaka. |
I am a farmer. |
|
Siya ay masaya. |
He/She is happy. |
2. Interrogative Sentences [Patanong]
| Tagalog Sentence | English Translation | |
|---|---|---|
|
[Who] Sino |
Sino ang gumawa nito? |
Who did this? |
|
[What] Ano |
Ano ang nangyari dito? |
What happened here? |
|
[Where] Saan |
Saan ka pupunta? |
Where are you going? |
|
[When] Kailan |
Kailan ka pupunta? |
When will you go? |
|
[Why] Bakit |
Bakit ka andito? |
Why are you here? |
|
[How] Paano |
Paano mo ginawa iyan? |
How did you do that? |
Interrogative sentences do not necessarily have to start with any of the 5Ws and 1H. You can just add the word “ba,” which is another untranslatable word, to a sentence.
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Naglilinis ba ng sahig si Johnny? |
Is Johnny cleaning the floor? |
|
Kumakain ba si Elena ng balut? |
Does Elena eat balut? |
|
Sasakay ba ako ng eroplano? |
Should I ride an airplane? |
Funny enough, you can also just change the period to a question mark without modifying a sentence. Though, the sentence will denote an air of disbelief.
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Naglilinis ng sahig si Johnny? |
Johnny is cleaning the floor? |
|
Kumakain si Elena ng balut? |
Elena eats balut? |
|
Ako ay sasakay ng eroplano? |
I will ride an airplane? |
Just like in English, interrogative sentences can just comprise of one word.
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Johnny? |
Johnny? |
|
Ikaw? |
You? |
|
Bakit? |
Why? |
3. Imperative Sentences [Pautos/Pakiusap]
These types of sentences tell you what to do. It can either be a direct command, Pautos, or a more polite request, Pakiusap.
Pautos is straight to the point. It can come off as bossy so you might want to watch out, especially when it comes to your tone.
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Johnny, maglinis ka ng sahig. |
Johnny, clean the floor. |
|
Kumain ka ng balut, Elena. |
Eat some balut, Elena. |
|
Sumakay ka ng eroplano. |
(You) ride an airplane. |
Pakiusap is a more gentle approach. Just add “Paki-”, which is the equivalent of “Please”, to the root word of the verb. Or use “Pwede” or, more accurately, “Pwedeng” before the verb and turn the sentence into a question or a request.
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Johnny, pakilinis ang sahig. |
Johnny, please clean the floor. |
|
Pakikain ang balut, Elena. |
Please eat the balut, Elena. |
|
Pwedeng sumakay ka ng eroplano? |
Can you please ride an airplane? |
4. Exclamatory Sentences [Padamdam]
This type of sentence expresses strong feelings. It uses an exclamation mark at the end of the sentence.
Exclamatory sentences usually rely on tone. It can be used to add more power to a Pautos statement.
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Johnny, maglinis ka ng sahig! |
Johnny, clean the floor! |
|
Kumain ka ng balut, Elena! |
Eat some of the balut, Elena! |
|
Sumakay ka ng eroplano! |
Ride an airplane! |
Exclamatory sentences can also be a single word.
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Johnny! |
Johnny! |
|
Ikaw! |
You! |
|
Bakit! |
Why! |
Gain Clarity with Turong Wika
Learning a language isn’t easy. Learning hundreds of words becomes moot if you don’t know how to string these into a sentence. This guide can only do so much, after all.
This is where Turong Wika, a Tagalog learning app, comes in with a helping hand on your journey to learn Tagalog.
Turong Wika breaks down the basics of sentence structure and helps you understand each component’s role. From subject-verb agreement to sentence order, Turong Wika covers it all, making the seemingly daunting task of language learning more manageable and accessible.
Moreover, Turong Wika doesn’t stop at theoretical explanations. It understands the importance of practical application in language learning. Thus, the Practice feature, which has a variety of exercises and activities designed to reinforce your understanding and retention of the material.
You may stumble on your way to learning Tagalog. Still, with Turong Wika by your side, you can embark on this adventure with renewed enthusiasm and determination, knowing that you have a reliable resource to support and guide you every step of the way.
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