na

Usage Notes:

That little word "na" is used a lot in Tagalog sentences.

It is used as an adverb to mean "already" or "anymore".

Examples:
Pasko na = It's already Christmas
Hindi na Pasko = It's not Christmas anymore
Umalis na si Mary = Mary left already.
Hindi na umalis si Mary. = Mary did not leave anymore.

More often though "na" is used as a connective word that links or relates a word to another. At times you might not see it, yet it's actually there, but in a modified form.

When "na" is used between 2 words to relate them, one of the words functions as a modifier of the other. In English, an adjective is usually placed before the word it is modifying. If it is placed after the word being modified, a "that/which is" would be needed between them. You may think of "na" as that "that/which is", although in Tagalog it does not really translate to any meaning.

Examples:
damit na itim = a dress that is black => a black dress
pagkain na masarap = food that is delicious => delicious food
lakad na mabagal = a walk that is slow => a slow walk

In Filipino, it does not really matter whether the modifier comes before or after the word being modified as long as "na" is placed between them. The phrases above will be correct and mean exactly the same thing if stated as:

itim na damit = a black dress
masarap na pagkain = delicious food
mabagal na lakad = a slow walk

The form of the "na", however, at times changes or may even seem to disappear depending on how the word before it ends. Its behavior follows these rules:

1. If the word before "na" ends in a consonant, except the letter "N", it remains as "NA".

2. If the word before "na" is a vowel, "na" changes to "NG" and is attached to the word before it.

3. If the word before "na" ends in "N", "na" becomes "G" and is attached to the word before it.

Rule 1 was followed in the 6 examples given above.

Here are more examples on how the 3 rules are applied. Remember that it does not matter whether the modifier comes before or after the word being modified. The rule is followed either way. The number after each example indicates which rule (1, 2, or 3) above is followed.

itim NA pusa = a black cat (1) {pusa = cat}
pusaNG itim = a black cat (2)
pusaNG puti = a white cat (2)
putiNG pusa = a white cat (2)
mabagal NA takbo = a slow run (1) {takbo = run}
takboNG mabagal = a slow run (2)
malalim NA balon = a deep well (1) {balon = well}
balonG malalim = a deep well (3)
maulanG panahon = rainy weather (3) {panahon = weather}
panahonG maulan = rainy weather (3)

Rules 2 and 3 are not absolute though. It does not mean that using "na" in such cases would be wrong. It's just that maybe the word combinations are easier to pronounce when we apply those rules that's why we practically follow them all the time.

Some Tagalog words actually end in "ng". Therefore, they would fall under Rule 1 and have a "na" after them should they be used as or with modifiers.

Examples:
ilong NA maganda = magandaNG ilong = beautiful nose (1,2) {ilong = nose}
sakong NA masakit = masakit NA sakong = aching heel (1) {sakong = heel}
payong NA malaki = malakiNG payong = big umbrella (1,2) {payong = umbrella}
matapang NA sundalo = sundaloNG matapang = brave soldier (1,2) {matapang = brave}
makinang NA bituin = bituinG makinang = shining/shiny star (1,3) {makinang (stress on "nang") = shiny}

In English, the adverb "very" is used to intensify a modifier. In Tagalog, repeating a modifier intensifies it. "Na" is sometimes used to link the repetition.

Examples:
mapayat NA mapayat = very thin
makinang NA makinang = very shiny
malakiNG-malaki = very big
bataNG-bata = very young

Notice that when the repetition causes the first word to end in "ng", the words are hyphenated.

So, just remember that every time an adjective or an adverb is used, "na" or its modified form will be there.

Na Example Sentences in Tagalog: (126)

Alternate spelling(s):

Markup Code:
[rec:2378]