Start learning basic Tagalog

Tagalog Learning Tips

• Understanding written Filipino is relatively simple as the majority of letters have just a single corresponding sound.
• In Filipino, vowel sounds are not merged together. Adjacent vowels will be pronounced as separate syllables. For example, babae (woman) is pronounced as ba-ba-e.
• The definition of a word is established by its affix (letters attached to the root word). For example:

  will eat	kakain
  is eating	kumakain
  ate	kumain

• The Filipino language contains just two prepositions, nasa and sa.
• Contractions are the norm in Filipino. For example:

  pula na libro (red book) becomes pulang libro

  bata na lalaki (young male) becomes batang lalaki

• Filipino speakers use polite forms when addressing strangers or elders. The word po or plural pronouns in speech are customary when showing respect.
• When an enquiry can be answered ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ speakers add the question indicator ‘ba’. Rosetta Stone will demonstrate how to apply this important word.
• As well as learning the Filipino words for numbers, Rosetta Stone will teach you Spanish words for the numbers one through twelve which are used in telling time.