Adjectives/Descriptive Words

What does it mean to modify a noun?
To modify a nouns means to qualify or add some further description to it.

What does modification mean grammatically?
Grammatically, modification means to limit the meaning of something.

What are the two types of adjectives in Tagalog?
The two types of adjectives in Tagalog are:

  1. Ma-adjectives - (ma + root).
  2. Simple adjectives - roots.

Are there other descriptive words which don't fit into the two types of adjectives?
Yes, there are other descriptive words which don't fit into the two types of adjectives.

How are the other types of descriptive words formed?
The other types of descriptive words are formed by combining adjectival affix(es) with root words.

Examples of ma-adjectives
  • Maganda.
  • Masipag.
  • Magaling.
  • Mainit.
  • Malamig.
  • Mahangin.
  • Malayo.
  • Malapit.
  • Matangkad.
  • Mabigat.
Examples of simple adjectives
  • Payat.
  • Luma.
  • Gutom.
  • Pangit.
  • Pagod.
  • Galit.
  • Bago.
  • Buhay.
  • Patay.
  • Pikon.
Examples of other descriptors
  • Nakakalito.
  • Nakakatuwa.
  • Nakakatawa.
  • Nakakainis.
  • Nakakapagod.
  • Kahindik-hindik.
  • Kaawa-awa.
  • Kagulat-gulat.
  • Kasiya-siya.
  • Kapana-panabik.

The Linker NA

What are the two ways you can use adjectives and / or descriptive words to modify nouns?
The two ways you can use adjectives and / or descriptive words to modify nouns are:

  1. Placing the modifier before the noun.
  2. Placing the modifier after the noun.

What do you need to use regardless of where you place a modifier?
Regardless of where you place a modifier, you need to use the linker "na" between the words.

What is "na" used for?
"Na" is used for linking or hooking up the modifier and the noun it is describing.

What are the three forms of "na?"
The three forms of "na" are:

  1. -ng - Following a word ending in a vowel.
  2. -g - Following a word ending in the letter "n."
  3. Na - Following a word ending in a consonant.
Examples of using "na" with different word orders

Malayong bayan - Bayan malayo.
Mahanging panahon - Panahong mahangin.
Bagong kotse - Kotseng bago.
Pangit na pelikula - Pelikulang pangit.
Nakakapagod na biyahe - Biyaheng nakakapagod.
Nakakatawang kuwento - Kuwentong nakakatawa.
Kasiya-siyang palabas - Palabas na kasiya-siya.

Colors

Can the names of colors be used like adjectives?
Yes, the names of colors can be used like adjectives.

What are the names of the basic colors in Tagalog?
The names of the basic colors in Tagalog are:

  • Pula - Red.
  • Kulay-kahel - Orange.
  • Dilaw - Yellow.
  • Luntian / berde - Green.
  • Bughaw / asul - Blue.
  • Kulay-ube / lila - Purple.
  • Puti - White.
  • Itim - Black.
  • Kulay-abo - Gray.
  • Kulay-kape - Coffee or brown.
Examples of using colors as adjectives

Pulang kamatis - Kamatis na pula.
Kulay-kahel na kotse - Kotseng kulay-kahel.
Dilaw na sisiw - Sisiw na dilaw.
Berdeng puno - Punong berde.
Asul na barko - Barkong asul.
Kulay-ubeng basuraha - Basurahang kulay-ube.
Itim na payong - Payong na itim.
Kulay-abong telepono - Teleponong kulay-abo.
Kulay-kapeng kabayo - Kabayong kulay-kape.

Numbers

What is the only place you can put numbers when they're used as adjectives?
When they're used as adjectives, numbers can only be put before the noun they describe.

Examples of using numbers as adjectives

Limang lobo - May limang lobo ako.
Sampung minuto - Sampung minuto na lang bago mag-alas otso.
Walong bata - Naglalaro ang walong bata sa kalye.
Dalawang singsing - Bumili siya ng dalawang singsing.
Isang milyong dolyar - Nanalo siya ng isang milyong dolyar sa lotto.

Tagalog Numbers

What are the two ways you can say a number in Tagalog?
The two ways you can say a number in Tagalog are:

  1. The native Tagalog word.
  2. The borrowed or derived Spanish word.

What are the native Tagalog and borrowed Spanish numbers?
The native Tagalog and borrowed Spanish numbers are:

Number Tagalog Tagalog (Spanish Root)
1 Isa Uno
2 Dalawa Dos
3 Tatlo Tres
4 Apat Kwatro
5 Lima Sinko
6 Anim Sais
7 Pito Syete
8 Walo Otso
9 Siyam Nuwebe
10 Sampu Diyes
11 Labing-isa Onse
12 Labing-dalawa Dose
13 Labing-tatlo Trese
20 Dalawampu Beynte
21 Dalawampu't-isa Beynteuno
30 Tatlumpu Trenta
40 Apatnapu Kwarenta
50 Limampu Singkwenta
60 Animnapu Sisenta
100 Isang daan Siyento
200 Dalawang daan Dos siyentos
1,000 Isang libo Mil
2,000 Dalawang libo Dos mil
10,000 Sampung libo Dies mil
100,000 Isang daang libo Siyento mil
1,000,000 Isang milyon Milyon

Shapes

Are there many words for shapes in Tagalog?
No, there aren'y many words for shapes in Tagalog.

What are four simple adjectives for describing shape in Tagalog?
Four simple adjectives for describing shape in Tagalog are:

  1. Bilog - Round.
  2. Parisukat - Square.
  3. Parihaba - Rectangle.
  4. Trayanggulo - Triangle.
Four examples of simple adjectives for describing the shape of something

Bilog na globo - Globong bilog.
Hugis-parisukat na days - Days na parisukat.
Parihabang papel - Papel na parihaba.
Hugis-trayanggulong tulay - Tulay na hugis-trayanggulo.

How can you describe the shape of something if there's no simple adjective for it?
If there's no simple adjective to describe the shape of something, you can describe it by adding the word "hugis-" to the beginning of a noun which has a similar shape.

Examples of forming adjectives with "hugis-"

Hugis-tala.
Hugis-peras.
Hugis-pitsel.

Examples of using "hugis-" adjectives

Hugis-talang medalya - Medalyang hugis-tala.
Hugis-peras na bombilya - Bombilyang hugis-peras.
Hugis-pitsel na tropeyo - Tropeyong hugis-pitsel.

Size and Weight

What three systems of size and weight do Tagalog speakers use interchangeably?
The three systems of size and weight that Tagalog speakers use interchangeably are:

  1. The metric system.
  2. The imperial system.
  3. The native Tagalog system.

What are three metric system words for weight or volume in Tagalog?
Three metric system words for weight or volume in Tagalog are:

  1. Gramo - Gram.
  2. Kilo - Kilogram.
  3. Litro - Liter.

What are two imperial system words for weight or volume in Tagalog?
Two metric system words for weight or volume in Tagalog are:

  1. Libra - Pound.
  2. Galon - Gallon.

What are some native Tagalog words for weight or volume?
Some native Tagalog words for weight or volume include:

  • Balde - A pailful.
  • Bandehado - A serving-plateful.
  • Basket - A basketful.
  • Baso - A glass.
  • Bayong - A bagful. The contents normally fill a native bag for shopping called bayong.
  • Bigkis - A bunch. For bigger objects like firewood.
  • Bilao - A winnower-ful. The contents fill a winnower, standard size is about 1-1/2 feet in diameter.
  • Bilog - An approximately 12 ounce bottle.
  • Bloke - A block.
  • Bote - Bottle.
  • Buntol - A bunch. For example, a bunch of fruits.
  • Kaing - A big basketful. The contents fill a container made of materials such as rattan, bamboo, etc. called kaing.
  • Kaldero - A potful.
  • Kawali - A wok-ful.
  • Kurot - A pinch.
  • Kutsara - A spoonful.
  • Kutsarita - A teaspoonful.
  • Kwatro-kantos - An approximately 750 milliliter bottle.
  • Dakot - A handful.
  • Dram - A barrelful.
  • Ganta - 1 kilogram which is measured with a square wooden box called ganta.
  • Guhit - Measurement based on lines for volume and of measuring instruments such as rulers, weighing scales, etc.
  • Lapad - An approximately 250 millimeter bottle.
  • Mangkok - A bowl.
  • Palanggana - A basin.
  • Pinggan - A plateful.
  • Platito - A saucer.
  • Sako - A sackful.
  • Salop - Approximately 2 kilograms. The contents fill a brown bag called salop.
  • Sandok - A serving-spoonful.
  • Tabo - Approximately 2 pint container.
  • Tali - A bunch. For example, a bunch of flowers.
  • Tasa - A cup.

What are three metric system words for height, length, or distance in Tagalog?
Three metric system words for height, length, or distance in Tagalog are:

  1. Sentimetro - Centimeter.
  2. Metro - Meter.
  3. Kilometro - Kilometer.

What are three imperial system words for height, length, or distance in Tagalog?
Three imperial system words for height, length, or distance in Tagalog are:

  1. Pulgada - Inch.
  2. Piye - Foot.
  3. Milya - Mile.

What are some native Tagalog words for height, length, or distance?
Some native Tagalog words for height, length, or distance are:

  • Dangaw - Size of a thumb.
  • Dangkal - Length between the tips of your stretched middle finger and thumb.
  • Dipa - Length between outstretched arms from fingertips.
  • Baytang - Step.
  • Hakbang - Pace.
  • Tao - Measurement based on the height of the average person.

What is the only place you can put expressions and units of weights and measurements when they're used as adjectives?
When they're used as adjectives, expressions and units of weights and measurements can only be put before the noun they describe.

Examples of using expressions and units of weights and measurements as adjectives

Isang tasang kape.
Dalawang bilaong pansit.
Tatlong kaing na mangga.
Apat na dangkal na laso.
Limang dipang lubid.
Anim na gramong ginto.
Pitong litrong serbesa.
Walong kilometrong biyahe.
Siyam na litrong gasolina.
Sampung pulgadang pisi.