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Tagalog Alphabet & Pronunciation
The Filipino alphabet, vowels, consonants, and key sounds
a, e, i, o, u
the five vowels
ah, eh, ee, oh, oo
Tagalog vowels are pure, never diphthonged as in English
b, k, d, g, h, l, m, n, ng, p, r, s, t, w, y
consonants of the Filipino alphabet
bay, kay, day, gay, hay, lay, may, nay, ngang, pay, ray, say, tay, way, yay
Official Filipino alphabet has 28 letters including foreign letters
mga
plural marker
ma-nga
Mga before a noun makes it plural; there is no verb agreement for number
NG vs ANG
ng marks non-topic nouns; ang marks the topic
nahng vs. ahng
This distinction is central to Tagalog grammar
Kamusta ka?
How are you?
kah-moos-tah kah
Kamusta comes from Spanish como esta
Magandang umaga.
Good morning.
mah-gahn-dahng oo-mah-gah
Maganda = beautiful; umaga = morning
Salamat.
Thank you.
sah-lah-maht
Common response: Walang anuman (You're welcome)
Oo. / Hindi.
Yes. / No.
oh-oh / hin-dee
Oo and Hindi are the basic affirmative and negative words
Ang pangalan ko ay ___.
My name is ___.
ahng pah-ngah-lan koh ay
Ang = topic marker; pangalan = name; ko = my
Paalam.
Goodbye.
pah-ah-lahm
From Spanish para Ala; used for formal farewell