When learning Tagalog, broadening your vocabulary may feel overwhelming. The sheer number of words to learn, along with their various meanings and uses, can make the task seem daunting. But not to worry, there are several strategies to expanding your Tagalog vocabulary.
Before we dive into these strategies, you have to prepare two things: your patience and your persistence. Remember that building vocabulary is not a smooth road. You’ll make mistakes, forget, or even embarrass yourself in conversations. However, these are part of the learning process; persist in learning regardless and you’ll know better next time.
Now that we’ve established the right mindset, let’s take a look at these strategies for building Tagalog vocabulary.
1. Immerse Yourself In Tagalog Media
- Expanding your vocabulary doesn’t have to involve just reading a dictionary or thesaurus, you also need to know how to use these words in context. The first option to achieve that is to talk with native speakers. However, if that’s not possible in your current situation, the next best thing is to consume Tagalog media.
- Tagalog movies with English subtitles are a great way to learn common words and sentences you can emulate. They also help teach pronunciation and local slang.
- Additionally, the rhythmic and repetitive nature of songs make words and sentences easier to memorize. You can simply attribute a word to the tune and help recall how it is used in context.
2. Use Language Learning Apps
- Language learning apps are a fantastic resource for expanding your vocabulary. Apps like Turong Wika are designed to help learners master conversational Tagalog by offering lessons that cover a wide range of vocabulary. These apps often include interactive quizzes and flashcards, which can help reinforce what you’ve learned and aid in retention.
3. Label Your Environment
- Another easy way to expand your vocabulary is by labeling your environment. This method helps you associate Tagalog words with everyday items, making them easier to remember.
- For instance, putting the label upuan on your chair and mga libro to your shelf of books. You can go further and add sentences using these words in context.
- For example:
- Pinto → Pakisara mo ang pinto. (Please close the door.)
- Plato → Pakihanda ang mga plato. (Please ready the plates.)
4. Keep A Vocabulary Journal
- A vocabulary journal is a fun way to list down new words you’ve recently learned. Illustrations, sample sentences, synonyms, antonyms, and more can be added besides the definition of the words.
- You might think that a vocabulary journal is unnecessary, given all the technology surrounding us. However, a study shows that you are more likely to recall information that you’ve written down.
- A vocabulary journal doesn’t have to be handwritten either. You can use a diary app or simply your notes app to jot down new words.
5. Learn Synonyms and Antonyms
- Tagalog is a beautiful language with a wide array of words you can use to express yourself. You don’t have to confine yourself to one word when describing something. Learning the synonyms and antonyms of words you know not only expands your vocabulary but also allows you to express yourself more precisely.
- For instance, if you want to describe something as very scary. Instead of using nakakatakot, use kasindak-sindak instead to ramp up how scary it is.
- Other examples:
| English | Tagalog Synonyms | Tagalog Antonyms |
|---|---|---|
|
beautiful |
maganda marikit, nakahuhumaling |
pangit chaka |
|
peaceful |
payapa matiwasay tahimik |
maingay magulo |
6. Play Word Games
- Word games make language learning feel less like a chore and more like a fun, interactive experience. The challenging environment contributes to the recall factor of the words, helping you retain these new words.
- For instance, games like Tagalog crossword puzzles challenge you to think about word meanings and spellings, while word search games help reinforce recognition of Tagalog words in a sea of letters. Scrabble or Boggle-like games can also be incredibly beneficial, as they require you to create words from a random set of letters, thereby testing your creativity and vocabulary knowledge.
7. Use Flashcards
- Flashcards are a tried-and-true method for vocabulary building. You can either create your own physical flashcards or use digital ones through apps. Flashcards allow for spaced repetition, a learning technique that helps with long-term retention by reviewing words at increasing intervals.
8. Use Learned Vocabulary In Sentences
- It’s not enough to just memorize words—you need to use them. Make it a habit to incorporate new vocabulary into sentences. Whether you’re writing or speaking, actively using new words helps cement them in your memory and improves your overall language skills.
Building Your Knowledge
Broadening your vocabulary doesn’t have to be an insurmountable challenge. With the right strategies and tools, you can break down the process into manageable steps and make steady progress.
After all, learning Tagalog is a journey, not a race. Each new word you learn brings you closer to fluency and a deeper understanding of the language.
Take the first step to building your Tagalog vocabulary by using Turong Wika.
As previously mentioned, Turong Wika is a language-learning app. What’s special about it is that it’s dedicated to teaching conversational Tagalog. It has several lessons on essential vocabulary, making it an ideal companion you can take with you anywhere.
In addition to the vocabulary lessons, it also has a Cheat Sheet and a Practice feature. The Cheat Sheet allows you to refresh your memory of the lessons without having to go through the questions again. Meanwhile, the Practice feature is where you can gauge your current Tagalog proficiency by answering the interactive quizzes.
Enjoy the process. Scan the code below to download the app now!
Enjoy the process. Click on the button below to download the app now!
