A common misstep that non-native speakers of Tagalog encounter is how to construct sentences without making the sentences sound like caveman-speak. If there is such a thing as English caveman-speak, such conundrum exists in practicing Tagalog too.
If you have attempted trying to construct complete sentences when including adjectives into the sentences that you are trying to assemble, chances are some friends that spoke the language as a native would try to correct you. While some of them meant well while trying to correct you, others would impose this "I am better than you" type of personality just to exude their superiority over you. (As if they have never committed a mistake ever in their life) Please don't let them get you disillusioned. Isn't that what I am here for?
For today, we will be discussing the word "na" and the suffixes "-ng" and "-g"
| "Na" is a Tagalog word commonly used when attaching a word to the next word when the first word ends in a consonant sound except the consonant sound "n"
| The suffix "-ng" is attached to a Tagalog adjective whenever it ends in a vowel sound. If the adjective sound ends in the consonant sound "n" that's when you attach the suffix "g"
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Most of the time, these word connectors are used when Tagalog adjectives are used in a sentence. But since Tagalog conversations often end up getting some words connected with one another as if following a syntax formula in speaking the language, these terms end up getting used just the same that some non-native speakers might find getting used to when talking about things that require you to describe them. So whether it is a verb, adjective, adverb or noun even.
In this vein, let us try constructing some of them and use them in a sentence
- makulay + [separate word] na + [another word] buhay = Makulay na buhay ang dulot ng matibay na samahan (A colorful life is caused by a durable relationship)
- maliit + [separate word] na + [another word] bata = Maliit na bata ang akay ng pulubi (A little kid is carried by the beggar)
- maganda + ng + [another word] babae = Nakakita ako ng magandang babae (I saw a beautiful woman)
- guapo + ng + [another word] lalaki = Nakakita ako ng guapong lalaki (I saw a handsome man)
- mahinhin + g + [another word] babae = Siya ay isang mahinhing babae (She is a mild-mannered woman.)
- madiin + g + [another word] pagkakasabi = Madiing pagkakasabi ng hinaing ang nakatulong ng malaki (Emphasized diction of the complaint helped a lot)
Speaking Tagalog and some local Filipino dialects too often involved a wide range of prefixes, suffixes and articles. Learning which terms suited the sentences best helps a lot in getting some of the Tagalog phrases right as you try to widen your vocabulary and harness your sentence construction skills. Glad to be of help. See you on the next lesson.
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