What is a Noun?

What is a noun?
A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea.

What does Tagalog have a lot of?
Tagalog has a lot of root words.

What is a root word?
A root word is simply a basic, core word that can be used to make other words.

What do most root words function as on their own?
On their own, most root words function as nouns.

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Three examples of root words in Tagalog
  1. Ganda.
  2. Ilong.
  3. Awit.

What can you add to the word "ganda" to make it an adjective?
To make the word "ganda" an adjective, you can add the prefix "ma" to form "maganda."

What do all of the long, complicated looking words in Tagalog have?
All of the long, complicated looking words in Tagalog have a core, root word embedded somewhere.

What would be helpful to be able to recognize when reading or listening to Tagalog and why?
When reading or listening to Tagalog, it would be helpful to be able to recognize which part of the word is the root so you can tell what the basic meaning of it is.

What should you look at after you determine what the root word is?
After you determine what the root word is, you should look at the special markers that have been added around it.

More Information on Nouns and Roots

What are the three sources of nouns in Tagalog?
The three sources of nouns in Tagalog are:

  1. Root words.
  2. Stems - A root and a nominalizing affix.
  3. Words borrowed from other languages.

Noun Roots: Inherent, Adjective, Verb

What are the three types of roots?
The three types of roots are:

Type Primary Function Nominalizing Affixes Pluralizers
Inherent noun roots Nouns Yes Yes
Adjective roots Adjectives Yes No
Verb roots Verbs Yes Yes
Examples of inherent noun roots
  • Matá.
  • Ilóng.
  • Kamáy.
  • Paá.
  • Araw.
  • Gubat.
  • Ilog.
  • Bató.
  • Bahay.
  • Bigás.
Examples of adjective roots
  • Gandá.
  • Talino.
  • Sipag.
  • Tiyagâ.
  • Husay.
  • Galíng.
  • Lambót.
  • Bigát.
  • Kapál.
  • Tigás.
Examples of verb roots
  • Takbó.
  • Lakad.
  • Sulat.
  • Tawag.
  • Bantáy.
  • Sumbóng.
  • Awit.
  • Away.
  • Hatol.
  • Hawak.

Stems and Complex Nouns

What is another way that nouns are formed in Tagalog?
Another way that nouns are formed in Tagalog is by adding nominalizing affix(es) to a root word.

How are complex nouns formed?
Complex nouns are formed by combining root words.

Examples of stems
  • Kagubatan - Gubat.
  • Kalangitan - Langit.
  • Kabukiran - Bukid.
  • Kabaitan - (Ma)bait.
  • Kalungkutan - (Ma)lungkot.
  • Kasiyahan - (Ma)saya.
  • Pag-awit - (Um)awit.
  • Pagmamahal - (Mag)mahal.
  • Pagkagulat - (Ma)gulat.
  • Bahay-bata - Bahay + beta.
  • Bukang-liwayway - Buka + liwayway.

Loan Words

Examples of English and Spanish loan words in Tagalog
  • Mesa - Mesa.
  • Silya - Silla.
  • Sibuyas - Cebollas.
  • Kabayo - Caballo.
  • Edukasyon - Educación.
  • Kompyuter - Computer.
  • Tren - Train.
  • Titser - Teacher.
  • Syampu - Shampoo.
  • Tsok - Chalk.