Tagalog language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tagalog |
|
|---|---|
| Wikang Tagalog | |
| Native to | Philippines |
| Region | Central and South Luzon |
| Ethnicity | Tagalog people |
| Native speakers | 28 million (2007) 96% of the Philippines can speak Tagalog (2000) |
| Language family |
Austronesian
|
| Standard forms | |
| Dialects |
Bataan
Batangas
Bulacan
Lubang
Manila
Marinduque
Tanay-Paete
Tayabas
Balbal
|
| Writing system | Latin (Tagalog/Filipino); Historically Baybayin |
| Official status | |
| Official language in |  Philippines (in the form of Filipino) |
| Regulated by | Commission on the Filipino Language |
| Linguasphere | 31-CKA |
Predominantly Tagalog-speaking regions in the Philippines. The color-schemes represent the 4 dialect zones of the language: Northern, Central, Southern, and Marinduque. In addition, Tagalog is used as a second language across the entire country.
|
|
Tagalog is a very important language spoken in the Philippines. Over 22 million people speak it as their main language. It is one of the most widely used languages in the country.
Tagalog was first spoken by the Tagalog people. They lived mainly in areas like Bulacan, Cavite, and parts of Luzon island. Today, Tagalog is spoken all over the Philippines. It is used alongside English.
The language has changed over time. It has borrowed words from Spanish, Malay, and English. This mix makes Tagalog unique.
Long ago, Tagalog was written using a special script called Baybayin. This was a type of writing system where symbols represent syllables. Now, people use the Latin alphabet to write Tagalog, just like English.
Common Tagalog Phrases to Learn
Learning a few phrases can be fun. Here are some common Tagalog words and sentences:
- Doon: there
- Banyo: Bathroom
- Wala: none
- May ______ ba kayo?: Do you have ______? (This is a polite way to ask)
- Mayroon po: This means "Yes, sir" or "Yes, ma'am." It's a polite answer.
- Wala po: This means "No, sir" or "No, ma'am." It's the polite opposite.
- Kayo: This means "you" (when being polite or talking to a group).
- Magkano ito?: How much is this?
- po: This word is added to sentences to show respect. You use it when talking to older people or someone important.
- Mabuhay!: Long Live! (You might hear this at celebrations)
- Sino Ka?: Who are you?
- Ako po si (Pangalan)...: I am (Name)...
- Mahal kita: I love you
- Nanay: Mom
- Tatay: Dad
- Hindi: No
- Bakit?: Why?
- Saan?: Where?
- Ano?: What?
- Kailan?: When?
- Sino: Who?
Explore More About Tagalog
Images for kids
-
The Tagalog Baybayin script, an old way of writing.
-
Vocabulario de la lengua tagala, a dictionary from 1794.
-
Diariong Tagalog (Tagalog Newspaper), the first newspaper in the Philippines written in both Tagalog and Spanish, started in 1882.
-
A "No dumping" sign in the Laguna province, Philippines.
-
A welcome arch to Palayan, Nueva Ecija.
-
The Ten Commandments written in Tagalog.
See also
In Spanish: Idioma tagalo para niños
