Mistakes are a natural part of learning a language. Not even native speakers are spared from the occasional stumble or two. That being said, let’s talk about the top mistakes when learning Tagalog.
Learning Tagalog can be a rewarding experience, but like any language, it comes with its own set of challenges. For those new to Tagalog, certain mistakes are common. By recognizing these pitfalls early on, you can improve your learning process and speak Tagalog more fluently and confidently.
Here are some of the most common mistakes beginners make when learning Tagalog.
Forgetting To Use Ligatures
The Tagalog language flows smoothly, thanks in part to the use of ligatures. Ligatures or pang-ugnay are essential connectors in Tagalog that make sentences sound more natural and coherent.
Ligatures help create a more fluid and coherent flow in spoken and written Tagalog by connecting the adjective to the noun and vice versa. The ligatures in Tagalog are “ng,” “na,” and “g.” Here’s how they work:
First, if the word ends in a vowel, add “ng.”
Example:
- maiksi + buhok = maiksing buhok [short hair]
- tula + mahaba = tulang mahaba [long poem]
Second, if the word ends in the letter n, add “g.”
Example:
- mayaman + tindera = mayamang tindera [rich seller]
- hipon + malaki = hipong malaki [large shrimp]
Last, if the word ends in any consonant letter besides n, add “na” in between.
Example:
- maluwag + kamiseta = maluwag na kamiseta [loose shirt]
- mainit + kawali = mainit na kawali [hot skillet]
It’s worth noting that the order of the words when using a ligature doesn’t affect the meaning.
Example:
- maiksing buhok = buhok na maiksi [short hair]
- manipis na papel = papel na manipis [thin paper]
Mispronouncing Digraphs
In the same vein as the previous topic, another top mistake when learning Tagalog is the tendency to mispronounce digraphs. A digraph or diagram is two consecutive letters that form one sound.
Here’s the list of the commonly mispronounced Tagalog digraphs, their equivalent sounds in English words, and some Tagalog examples:
| Digraph (vowel + consonant pair) | English Equivalent | Tagalog Example |
|---|---|---|
|
ay |
bite |
tatay [father] |
|
ey |
they |
keyk [cake] |
|
oy |
android |
kahoy [wood] |
|
uy |
- |
baduy [out of fashion] |
|
aw |
owl |
langaw [noun: fly] |
|
iw |
ew |
aliw [entertain] |
| Digraph (consonant + consonant pair) | English Equivalent | Tagalog Example |
|---|---|---|
|
dy |
jeep |
dyip [jeep] |
|
gw |
guava |
gwapo [handsome] |
|
ng |
sing |
ngiti [smile] |
|
sy |
shop |
syap [shop] |
|
ts |
change |
tsinelas [slippers] |
Mispronouncing Vowels
Compared to most languages, Tagalog is pretty easy to learn. One of the reasons why is that it is pronounced the way it is spelled. However, that doesn’t mean that learners don’t make mistakes.
Tagalog has five vowel sounds or patinig: a, e, i, o, u.
Unlike English, Tagalog vowels are pronounced more straightforwardly. They use short vowel sounds like the “a” in “sap.”
Here’s the list of the vowels, their equivalent sounds in English words, and some Tagalog examples:
| Vowel | English Equivalent | Tagalog Example |
|---|---|---|
|
a |
arrive |
ambon |
|
e |
eldest |
telepono |
|
i |
into |
bintana |
|
o |
orange |
lobo |
|
u |
fool |
buhos |
Ng vs Nang
Another common mistake when learning Tagalog is something that also confuses native speakers. These two particles often confuse learners due to their similar pronunciations and overlapping functions. However, understanding the distinct contexts in which each is used is essential for clear and accurate communication.
- For starters, ng is used to indicate possession. It is then followed by a noun or an adjective.
- Example:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Kumain si Ron ng adobo. |
Ron ate adobo. |
|
Nagdala si Maya ng isang malaking kawali. |
Maya brought a big pan. |
- Ng is also used to mark the direct object of a verb.
- Example:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Naglalaro si Ben ng bola. |
Ben is playing with a ball. |
- This sentence can be broken down into:
| Vowel | Subject | Object |
|---|---|---|
|
Naglalaro |
si Ben |
ng bola. |
- Meanwhile, nang is usually used to describe how an action is performed.
- Example:
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Tumakbo si Ana nang mabilis. |
Ana ran fast. |
- Nang can also replace “noong” [when].
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Umalis si Reyna nang dumating si Kate. |
Reyna left when Kate came. |
- Nang can also mean “upang” [so that].
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Nag-ensayo akong mag-isa nang hindi ako maabala. |
I practiced alone so that I won’t be distracted. |
- Lastly, nang also acts as a connector when verbs are repeated for emphasis or exaggeration.
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Langoy nang langoy ang aking kapatid sa ilog. |
My sibling keeps on swimming in the river. |
Daw and Raw
When learning Tagalog, you’ll encounter words that may seem similar but have distinct uses. One such example is “daw” and “raw.” These words often confuse learners due to their identical meanings and subtle differences in usage.
Both are used to indicate reported speech or hearsay, similar to the English “they say”, “reportedly,” or “apparently.” The primary distinction between them lies in their usage based on the preceding word’s ending sound.
- If the preceding word ends in a consonant sound, use “daw.”
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Si Philip daw ang sumagot sa tanong. |
Philip apparently answered the question. |
|
Masikip daw ang pantalon ni Ben. |
Ben says his pants are tight. |
- If the preceding word ends in a vowel sound, including w and y, use “raw.”
| Tagalog | English |
|---|---|
|
Umuwi raw si Mark ng maaga. |
They say Mark went home early. |
|
Naaliw raw ang mga manonood sa kanta ni Maya. |
The audience was reportedly entertained by Maya’s song. |
Learning From Your Mistakes
Every time you make a mistake, it provides a valuable lesson on what not to do, guiding you toward better usage and comprehension. This trial-and-error process is essential for building a strong foundation in any language. Moreover, recognizing that even native speakers can falter reassures you that perfection is not the goal—communication and continuous improvement are.
When you encounter a mistake, take the time to understand why it happened and how you can correct it. Use resources such as language learning apps, grammar guides, or even ask a native speaker for clarification. By doing so, you turn each mistake into a learning opportunity, making your grasp of the language stronger and more nuanced.
Speaking of language-learning apps, how about giving Turong Wika a try?
When it comes to teaching Tagalog, there’s no app better than Turong Wika. It focuses on teaching conversational Tagalog, making it perfect for navigating conversations in daily life.
Besides the usual lessons, Turong Wika helps you even more by providing a Cheat Sheet where you can refresh your memory of the past lessons. And if you want to test that knowledge, tap on the Practice feature to take the interactive quizzes. Just choose a topic and the number of items you want to answer.
Embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. Scan the code below to download the app now!
Embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. Click on the button below to download the app now!
