Conjugate AN Verbs in Tagalog Language: Past, Present, and Future Tenses
Learn how to conjugate Tagalog AN verbs with this step-by-step guide. Understand imperative, infinitive, and tenses using common root words, plus a fun challenge, sample conversation and worksheet.
Why Mastering Tagalog An Verbs Matter?
Are you confused about how to use Tagalog verbs like lagay, bigay, or kanta in full sentences? Verbs with the suffix "an" are used everyday in Tagalog conversations. They are object- or location-focused verbs that indicate where or to whom the action is directed. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to conjugate AN verbs in the past, present, and future tenses—plus their imperative and infinitive forms. Let's break it down with easy steps and practical examples!
Delimitations
This tutorial does not answer the following questions:
- Why some root words take suffix han is used instead of an?
- Why some root words suffix nan is used instead of an?
The answers to these will be covered eventually under the series called Tagalog Phonology, so hang on there!
Infinitive Form – To Do Something
Infinitive verbs have no aspect of time. Infinitive Form is also referred to as the Base Form of the verb. To form the infinitive verb, apply suffix "an" to a verb root, as present below:
| Verb Root | Infinitive | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Lagáy | Lagayán → lagyán | to put [object] on [subject] |
| Bigáy | Bigayán → bigyán | to give [object] to [subject] |
| Kuha | Kuhanan → kunan | to get [object] from [subject] |
| Bilí | Bilíhán → bilhán | to buy [object] from [subject] |
| Dagdág | Dagdagán | to add [object] to [subject] |
| Bawas | Bawasan | to reduce [object] from [subject] |
| Kantá | Kantahán | to sing to [subject] |
