Case markers ang/ng/sa for nouns — the core of Tagalog grammar
Can use ang/ng/sa markers to construct basic sentences
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Kumain ang bata ng mangga.
The child ate a mango.
Binili ni Juan ang kotse.
Juan bought the car.
Pumunta siya sa palengke.
He/she went to the market.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Ang mga pananda ang pinakamahalagang bahagi ng gramatikang Tagalog:
| Pananda | Gamit | Para sa Pangalan | Halimbawa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ang | Paksa (topic/subject) | Si (tao) | Ang bata / Si Maria |
| Ng [naŋ] | Tagagawa/may-ari | Ni (tao) | Ng bata / Ni Maria |
| Sa | Direksyon/lokasyon | Kay (tao) | Sa bata / Kay Maria |
Halimbawa: Binasa ng bata ang libro. (The child read the book.) — Ang libro = topic, ng bata = actor.
Tandaan: Ng ay binibigkas na [naŋ], hindi [ɛn-dʒi]!
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesCase markers are the hardest part of Tagalog for European language speakers. Ng is pronounced "nang"
Using ang where ng is needed or vice versa
Ang = topic (the one the sentence is ABOUT). Ng = actor/possessor/object. Sa = location/direction.
Pronouncing ng marker as 'en-jee' instead of 'nang'
The case marker ng is pronounced [naŋ], not as individual letters.
Kumain ang bata ng mangga.
The child ate a mango.
Ang bata = the child (topic). Ng mangga = a mango (object). Kumain = ate.
Binili ni Juan ang kotse.
Juan bought the car.
Ni Juan = by Juan (ng form for proper nouns). Ang kotse = the car (topic).
Pumunta siya sa palengke.
He/she went to the market.
Sa palengke = to/at the market (location). Siya = he/she (no gender distinction!).
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises