Grammar: Verb Affixes for Usap

Usap is one of those Tagalog root words that is often used with a bunch of different affixes, so I figured if I can differentiate between all of those, it would help me understand the affixes for other verbs as well.  I requested a lesson with a professional teacher on italki and here are my notes:

Kausap = noun, person talked to
Kausap mo ako = The person you are talking to is me / I am the person you are talking to
Sino ang kausap mo = Who are you talking to? / Who is the person you are talking to?

Mag-usap = verb, to have a discussion/chat (two or more people implied)
Mag-usap kayo = You guys talk / You guys have a chat (imperative)
Ayokong mag-usap tayo = I don't want us to have a chat / I don't want to talk to you
Gusto kong mag-usap tayo
Nag-usap sila tungkol sa bakasyon = They chatted about the vacation

Pag-usapan = verb, object focused version of mag-usap
Pag-usapan ninyo ang bakasyon
Pinag-usapan nila ang bakasyon (past tense)
Ano ang pinag-usapan niyo kanina? = What did you guys talk about earlier?
Pinag-usapan namin ang tungkol sa nalalapit na bakasyon

Makipag-usap = verb, to talk to (directional, uses "sa ___")
Makipag-usap ka sa kanya tungkol sa bakasyon
Nakipag-usap siya sa kanya tungkol sa bakasyon

Mag-usap vs Makipag-usap
Ayokong mag-away tayo = I don't want us to fight
Ayokong makipag-away sayo = I don't want to fight with you

Differentiating with "gusto kong..."
Gusto kong mag-usap tayo - maybe serious implication
Gusto kong pag-usapan natin ___ - object focused, not necessarily serious
Gusto kong kausapin ka - idea that I'm gonna say a lot of things to you, I am someone higher, you will just listen
Gusto kong makipag usap sayo - more equal

Magkausap
Magkausap kami = he and I were/are talking (a little emphasis on the relationship)
Nag-uusap kami = he and I were talking (a little emphasis on the action)
Magkaklase tayo = you and I are classmates
Magkaklase tayo = you and I and others are classmates (3 or more)
Magkalaro tayo = you and I are playmates

Kausapin = verb, to speak/talk with someone
Kausapin - used often because shorter than makipag-usap, even if implication of being equal
Similar in the sense that "I will talk to him" is used for speed in English instead of "I will talk/discuss with him"

Shortened versions
Usap (implied mag-usap)
Usapan (implied pag-usapan)

Ipinakipag-usap - serious matter, not used for friends in daily conversation
Ipinakipag-usap niya ko sa mga magulang ko ang tungkol sa bf ko

Napag-usapan
Napag-usapan ka namin = we talked about you, not so intentionally
Pinag-usapan ka namin = we talked about you, with the intention

Makausap = to be able to talk to someone
Nakausap ka ba niya? - were you able to talk to jane? (you're not sure whether it would happen)
Kinausap ka ba niya? - more intent

Usap-usapan = implies talking a lot
Usap-usapan nila ang nangyari sa inyo
Usap-usapan dito sa lugar namin ang balita

Pakausap/Pinakausap
Pinakausap ko kay daddy si Marie = I let daddy to Marie
Pakausap kay mommy = let me talk to mommy (making an informal request, a little cute)

Formal request
Pwede ko bang makausap si Mr. Reyes = would it be possible to have a word with Mr. Reyes?  (implies won't take long)
Pwede ba akong makipag-usap kay Mr. Reyes - might take long, engage in conversation

Paki kausap
Paki kausap nalang siya = requesting to talk to her
Paki = pakisuyo "please"

More Study Material: Adober Studios YouTube Channel

Found another channel on Youtube with Tagalog short films.  A few of the videos have Tagalog subtitles - you can turn this on in "Settings":

Study Material: KPL Series

My latest Tagalog study material is a video series called KPL (Kung Pwede Lang).  Lots of slang and cultural references here along with some pretty hilarious lines.  All with Tagalog subtitles.  Enjoy:

Comprehensible Input

When learning a new language, comprehensible input is key.  See Stephen Krashen explain it here:

This was basically proven decades ago, but it's still rare to find language teachers who follow Krashen's advice.  What a shame.

Here's some ideas I came up with to give myself a curriculum based on this concept:

• Instruct tutors to use "MovieTalk" method - http://glesismore.com/movietalk/preview.html
• Study with FilipinoPod dialog recordings - no visuals here, but at least I get real input tuned to my current language level
• Study Filipino commercials with Filipino subtitles in the same way - this works for me at intermediate level
• Study Youtube videos of Filipino children's songs, the ones with Filipino subtitles and animations of what's happening in the lyrics

Let's see how this works out...

Filipino Commercials with Tagalog Subtitles

After mastering the basics, it's helpful to imitate Tagalog as it's actually spoken.  Problem is, most Filipinos speak too fast to understand what they're saying in Tagalog.  Enter Filipino commercials with Tagalog subtitles:

And more here:
https://www.manginasal.com/gallery/
https://www.youtube.com/user/talkntexttv/videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/luckymeph/videos

Youtube Closed Captions

Yeah, Youtube closed captions need some work 😂

Filipino TV/Movies with Tagalog Subtitles

There are just a handful of streaming services with Filipino TV and Movies.  I've checked several for content with Tagalog subtitles, but it looks like Netflix is the only one.

iFlix - No
HOOQ - No (working on adding subtitles now)
Rakuten Viki - No (removed all Filipino movies)
Amazon Prime Video - No

Netflix - Yes.  There's Birdshot at the least.  TBD whether On the Job, Metro Manila, Ilo Ilo, White Frog also have Tagalog subtitles.

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. 
If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. 

-Nelson Mandela

A Real Chat Conversation in Tagalog/Taglish

Here's an actual online chat conversation in Taglish between a friend of mine and restaurant staff.  This is how most Tagalog speakers use the language today.  Is this useful to study?  Let me know what you think.

Download the original Word document here or plain text file here.

Daily Tagalog Verb List - Modern and Conversational (2018)

Here is a long verb list for daily Tagalog/Taglish.  This was translated by a professional instructor in Manila.  All of the Tagalog words here are modern and conversational, but you will find more English words used in place of Tagalog in the more modern and "international" regions of Manila.

ENGLISH	TAGALOG
Woke up	Gumising (with "na" it’s a command)
Stretched	Nag-stretch
Got out of bed	Bumangon
Fixed bed	Inayos ko ang kama
Opened curtains	Binuksan ko ang mga kurtina
Closed curtains	Sinara ko ang mga kurtina
Turned on the light	Binuksan ko ang ilaw
Turned off the light	Pinatay ko ang ilaw
Took off clothes	Naghubad ng damit
Put on clothes (get dressed)	Nagsuot ng damit (or nagbihis)
Used bathroom/toilet	Gumamit ng banyo / toilet
Flushed toilet	Nag-flush ng toilet
Cleaned sink	Naglinis ng lababo
Shaved (face)	Nag-shave
Brushed teeth	Nagsipilyo
Washed hands/face	Naghugas ng kamay / ng mukha
Took a shower	Naligo ako
Dried off	Nagpatuyo
Fixed hair	Inayos ko ang buhok ko
Washed clothes	Naglaba
Hung clothes	Nagsuot ng mga damit
Charged phone	Nag-charge ng telepono
Turned on phone	Nag-on ng cellphone
Used phone	Gumamit ng cellphone
Responded to messages	Sumagot ng text
Checked weather	Chineck ko yung weather forecast
Booked Grab	Nag-book ng Grab / tumawag ng Grab
Boiled water	Nagpakulo ng tubig
Beat eggs	Nag-scramble ng mga itlog
Peeled fruit	Nagbalat ng prutas
Cut avocado	Gumupit ng abukado
Took vitamins	Uminom ng bitamina
Opened can	Nagbukas ako ng delata (canned food)/lata (can)
Washed dishes	Naghugas ng pinggan
Put food in fridge	Linagay ko ang pagkain sa fridge/ref
Threw away trash	Tinapon/Nagtapon ng basura
Took out trash	Linabas ang basura
Locked the door	Nag-lock/linock ang pinto
Exercised	Nag-exercise
Warmed up	Nagpainit
Swept floor	Nagwalis ng sahig / Winalis ang sahig
Got ready for bed	Naghanda para matulog
Went to bed	Natulog na ako
Prepared my suitcase	Hinanda ko na yung maleta ko
At Apartment Building
Locked the door	Nag-lock ng pinto
Take the elevator	Nag-elevator ako
Went up the stairs	Umakyat sa hagdanan
Went down the stairs	Bumaba sa hagdanan
Asked the front desk	Nagtanong sa front desk
Asked the guard to call a taxi	Nagpatawag ako sa guard ng taxi
Asked for maintenance to go up	Nagpaakyat ako ng maintenance
Asked the concierge for water delivery	Nagpadeliver ako ng tubig sa concierge
Went swimming	Lumangoy ako
Checked the mailbox	Chineck ko yung mailbox
Killed a fly	Pumatay ng langaw
Got food delivered	Nagpadeliver ako ng pagkain
On Street
Crossed the street	Tumawid ako
Got in the car	Pumasok ng/sa kotse
Got out of the car	Lumabas ng/sa kotse
Drive the car	Nagkotse ako (nagmaneho/nagdrive for other situations)
At Mall
Browsed the food court	Nag-browse sa food court
Chose a restaurant	Pumili ng restaurant
Checked the menu	Tiningnan ang menu
Withdrew cash	Nag-withdraw ng pera
Used the ATM	Gumamit ng ATM
Bought items	Bumili ng mga gamit
Returned items	Nagbalik ng mga gamit
Exchanged items	Nag-exchange ako ng items / Nagpapalit ako ng mga gamit
Got a haircut	Nagpaggupit ako ng buhok
Pushed the shopping cart	Nagtulak ng shopping cart
Stood in line	Pumila
Carried groceries	Nagdala/Nagbuhat ng groceries
Watched a movie	Nanood ng pelikula
At Restaurant/Café
Order food/drinks	Nag-order ng pagkain / inomin

Daily Tagalog Word List - Modern and Conversational (2018)

Here is a long word list for daily Tagalog/Taglish.  This was translated by a professional instructor in Manila.  All of the Tagalog words here are modern and conversational, but you will find more English words used in place of Tagalog in the more modern and "international" regions of Manila.  For any English words that do not have Tagalog translations, everyone just uses the English word!

ENGLISH	TAGALOG
Bedroom	kwarto
Bed	kama
Curtains	kurtina
Comforter
Blanket	kumot
Sheets	punda
Pillows	unan
Alarm clock	orasan
Alarm
Clock	orasan
Handle (door)
Charger
Cellphone
Wallet	pitaka
Closet	aparador
Mirror	salamin
Hanger
Laundry	labahan
Backpack
Laptop
Screen
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Headphones
Book	libro
Pencil	lapis
Pen	bolpen
Paper	papel
Iron	plantsa
Speakers
Music	musika
Switch
AC	aircon
cable	kable
desk	mesa
doorknob
battery	bateria
wall	pader
door	pinto
floor	sahig
Ceiling	kisame
Window	bintana
Plant	halaman
Suitcase	maleta
Umbrella	payong
Bathroom	banyo/CR
Sink	lababo
Faucet	gripo
Toothbrush	sipilyo
Toothpaste
Handsoap	sabon sa kamay
Soap	sabon
Toilet	kubeta
Outdoor toilet (the back)	palikuran
Washing machine
Laundry detergent	sabon panglaba
Shower
Shampoo
Bodywash	sabon sa katawan
Conditioner
Lotion
Ointment
Rag	basahan
Mat	flormat
Towel	twalya
Fan
Outlet	saksakan
Hair dryer
toilet paper	tisyu paper
Mirror	salamin
Kitchen	kusina
Pan	kawali
Pot	kaldero
Plate	plato
Cup	tasa
Bowl	mangkok
Glass (cup)	baso (para sa kape/etc)
Mug	tasa
Fork	tinidor
Spoon	kutsara
Knife	kutsilyo
Eggs	itlog
Cheese	keso
Garlic	bawang
Onions	sibuyas
Beans	patani
Salsa
Avocado
Orange	ponkan
Apple	mansanas
Banana	saging
Watermelon	pakwan
Carrot	karot
Cucumber	pipino
Tomato	kamatis
Vegetable	gulay
bell pepper
Eggplant	talong
Chicken	manok
Bitter gourd	ampalaya
Bread	tinapay
Potato	patatas
Salt	asin
Pepper	paminta
Oil	mantika
Napkin
Tissue
Sponge
Gloves	guwantes
Stove	kalan
Microwave
Refrigerator	ref
Freezer
Ice (cubes)	yelo
Coaster
placemat
Drawer
Cabinet	aparador
Shelf
Trash bin	basurahan
Bag (plastic)
Timer
Clock	orasan
Kitchen table	mesa
Living room	sala
Couch	sopa
Coffee table
USB cable
Balcony	balkonahe
TV
Book	libro
Door	pintuan
Lock	kandado
Outlet	saksakan
Phone (landline)	telepono
Remote control
Seat	Upoan/silya
Body	katawan
Hands	kamay
Feet	paa
Face	mukha
Head	ulo
Hair	buhok
Eyes	mata
Ears	tenga
Back	likod
Arms	braso
Chest	dibdib
Legs	binti
Mouth	bibig
Tongue	dila
Teeth	ngipin
Fingers	daliri
Fingernails	kuko
Nose	ilong
Lips	labi
Eyebrows	kilay
Bald	kalbo
Jaw	panga
Neck	leeg
Throat	lalamunan
Shoulder	balikat
Stomach	tiyan
Insides	laman laman
Intestines	bituka
Knees	tuhod
Elbow	siko
Butt	puet
Palm (of hand)	palad
Cheeks	pisni
Heart	puso
Bone	buto
Fat	taba
Muscle	laman
Clothes	damit
Tshirt
Pants	pantalon
Jeans	pantalon
Shorts
Socks	medyas
Boxers
Underwear	saluwal
Shoes	sapatos
Boots
Sneakers	rubber shoes
Glasses	salamin
Sunglasses	shades
Watch	relo
Jacket
Shirt (button up)	polo
shirt	shirt/kamiseta
slippers	tsinelas
At Apartment Building	Sa apartment building
elevator
stairs	hagdanan
hallway
lobby
entrance	pasukan
exit	labasan
front desk
concierge
button	pindutan
key	susi
cash	pera
coins	barya
cards
guard	bantay
taxi
swimming pool
patio
lounge chair	silya
mailbox
mail
gate
fence	bakod
brick wall	pader
grass	damo
children's playground	palaruan ng mga bata
surroundings/view	paligid
rooftop
emergency button
fire extinguisher
horizon	abot-tanaw
sky	langit
cloud	ulap
sunlight	araw
mosquito	lamok
insect	insekto
bird	ibon
cockroach	ipis
light	ilaw
light bulb	bumbilya
lamp	lampshade
On Street	Sa kalye
taxi stand
bus/jeep stop	sakayan ng bus/jeep
map	mapa
directions	mga direksyon
ETA
street	kalye
sidewalk
road	kalsada
stoplight
intersection	interseksyon
crosswalk
sign
stop sign
pole	poste
cone
flag	bandila
street light	ilaw sa kalye
green light
yellow light
red light
building	gusali
car door	pinto ng kotse
ramp	rampa
highway
onramp
gated village
tree	puno
car	kotse
bus
truck	trak
motorbike	motorsiklo
bicycle	Bisikleta
jeepney
wheel	gulong
tire	gulong
bumper
headlights
license plate	Plaka
car color	kulay ng kotse
car make	gawa ng kotse
yard	bakuran
dirt	dumi
pedestrian
police	pulis
driver
ticket	tiket
siren
noise	ingay
construction	konstruksiyon
pollution	polusyon
one way street	isang daanan lang
traffic	trapik
rear view mirror	salamin sa likod ng kotse
side view mirror	salamin sa gilid
At Mall	Sa Mall
mall
department store
food court	(mga) kainan
restaurant	restawran
café	cafe
bank	bangko
alterations shop
information desk	concierge
cashier (male/female)	cashier (lalaki / babae)
guard	bantay
office building	gusali/opisina
escalator
top floor
bottom floor
rooftop
basement
parking lot
supermarket
clothing shop	tindahan ng damit
barber shop
fountain
advertisement
sale (items on sale)
church	simbahan
space
shopping cart
shopping basket
shopping bag
line	linya
worker (at store/supermarket)	manggagawa (at tindahan / supermarket)
aisle
ledge
bench	bench/upoan
ATM
return policy
movie theater
At Restaurant/Café	Sa Restaurant / Café
waiter (male/female)	weyter (lalaki / babae)
chef
menu
photos	larawan
table	mesa
table cloth
counter seat
booth
napkin
fork	tinidor
spoon	kutsara
knife	kutsilyo
small spoon	kutsarita
serving spoon	sandok
straw
plate	plato
bowl	mangkok
cup	tasa
wine glass	baso para sa wine
water	tubig
tea	tsaa
coffee	kape
drink	inomin
order
bill
payment	bayad
shade	lilim
buffet
appetizer	pampagana
main course
a la carte
set meal
specialty
breakfast	almusal
lunch	tanghalian
dinner	hapunan
dessert
bar
meat	carne
beef	baka
pork	baboy
fish	isda
chicken	manok

Tagalog Tongue Twisters

Tongue twisters are great for practicing pronunciation.  Here are some useful ones in Tagalog.

Practice these with a native speaker and have them correct you, especially your "ng", "b", "p", and "r" sounds.  For the shorter ones, try repeating multiple times.

• Nung nakaraang linggo.
• Ngayon ngayong.
• Pintongput pitong pating.
• Kabilugan ng buwan, buwan ng kabilugan.
• Ang relo ni leroy ay rolex.
• Ang bra ni Barbara ay nabara.
• Bumili ako ng bituka ng butiki sa butika.
• Minikaniko ni Monico ang makina ni Monika.
• Mayamaya'y mamamanhikan si Aman sa mayamang si Maya malamang sa harap ng maraming mamamayan.
• Ngipin ang nangangailangan ng ngubngob.
• Buwaya, bayawak.
• Usong usong isang isang salu-salong nagsisi-usyosohan ang mga aso sa asosasyon sa Ascuzena.
• Sumuso ang sanggol na si Susie sa suso ni Susan na sumuso sa suso.

12 Golden Sentences in Tagalog (From Tim Ferriss)

This is a language hacking concept from life hacker extraordinaire Tim Ferriss.  The idea is simple: take a set of sentences that will expose a lot of common grammar rules and study the translations in your target language.

I had these translated to Tagalog by a professional instructor in Manila.  Of course there are variations on possible translations, especially in terms of verb conjugations (actor or object focused), but this should be a great reference anyway.

English	Tagalog
The apple is red.	Pula yung mansanas.
It is John's apple.	Kay John yung mansanas.
I gave John the apple.	Binigay ko kay John yung mansanas.
We gave him the apple.	Binigay namin sa kanya yung mansanas.
He gives it to John.	Binibigay nya kay John.
She gives it to him	Binibigay nya sa kanya.
Is the apple red?	Pula ba yung mansanas.
The apples are red.	Pula yung mga mansanas.
I must give it to him.	Kailangan ko ibigay sa kanya.
I want to give it to her.	Gusto ko ibigay sa kanya.
I'm going to know tomorrow.	Malalaman ko bukas.
I can't eat the apple.	Hindi ko pwede kaiinin yung mansanas.

Read more about the general concept on his blog here or in "The 4-Hour Chef".