Tagalog/Nouns and markers
This lesson will teach you about the usage of nouns and markers in Tagalog.
Aralín (Lesson)
editMga pangungusap at pangmarka (Nouns and markers)
editWhile Tagalog nouns are not inflected, they are usually preceded by case markers. There are three types of case markers: absolutive (nominative), ergative (genitive), and oblique.
Unlike English and Spanish which are nominative-accusative languages, Tagalog is considered to be either an ergative-absolutive language, or a language with an Austronesian alignment. It's a common misconception that Tagalog is frequently spoken in the passive voice.
Absolutive or nominative markers mark the actor of an intransitive verb and the object of a transitive verb.
Ergative or genitive markers mark the object (usually indefinite) of an intransitive verb and the actor of a transitive one. It also marks possession.
Oblique markers are similar to prepositions in English. It marks things such as location and direction.
Furthermore, noun markers are divided into two classes: one for names of people (personal) and the second for everything else (common).
Below is a chart of case markers. mga (pronounced [maŋa]) marks the plural. The word ng (pronounced [naŋ])
| Absolutive | Ergative | Oblique | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common singular | ang | ng | sa |
| Common plural | ang mga | ng mga | sa mga |
| Personal singular | si | ni | kay |
| Personal plural | sina | nina | kina |
Examples
editDumating ang lalaki.
"The man arrived."
Nakita ni Juan si Maria.
"John saw Maria."
Pupunta sina Elena at Roberto sa bahay ni Miguel.
"Elena and Roberto will go to Miguel's house."
Nasaan ang mga libro?
"Where are the books?"
Kay Tatay ang susi.
"Father has the keys"
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