How To Tell Time In Tagalog
The functionality of native Tagalog number words has gone much lesser degree nowadays because of the fast-changing trends and exposure to foreign culture but never bother when others say like: "locals don't speak like that". Let's tell time in Pure Tagalog way. Learn it here.
How's your Tagalog? Do you struggle telling time in Tagalog? Tell me about it.
As far as I'm concerned, your progress in Tagalog would slow down a bit if you're worried about how to say "12 PM" in Tagalog and generally speaking it is tricky to teach Numbers in Tagalog. Locals simply say "12 PM" or "2 AM" or "2:30", for example, and others say "alás dose" or "alás dos" or "alás dos i-medya"; and you should be able to carry on very well.
Surprise! Surprise! Why not!?
With that being said, being a foreigner in the Philippines should be relaxing in times when you wish to ask: "Anó'ng oras na?" (What time is it). However, if you are curious about anything pure Tagalog vocabulary, this lesson is for you. Otherwise you may skip this page and try to learn the Tagalog Root Words.
In this tutorial, I would like to reveal that:
- It is alright to speak Spanish when telling time if you are in the Philippines.
- You will often hear locals tell time in English.
- It is possible to tell time in Filipino.
Towards the end of this lesson, I hope to convince you that Tagalog vocabulary within the concepts of time will help train your brain speak this new language.
Spanish Cognates When Telling Time
The Philippines was colonized by western societies in the past and that was Spain and then America. If you are a Spanish speaking person, good for you! See the following borrowed words:
| Spanish Sounding Tagalog | Meaning in English |
|---|---|
| alá una | one o'clock |
| alás dos | two o'clock |
| alás tres | three o'clock |
| alás kwatro | four o'clock |
| alás singko | five o'clock |
| alás saís | six o'clock |
| alás siyete | seven o'clock |
| alás otso | eight o'clock |
| alás nuwebe | nine o'clock |
| alás diyes | ten o'clock |
| alás onse | elevel o'clock |
| alás dose | twelve o'clock |
In the whole universe of Tagalog vocabulary, many are borrowed from Spanish language. The word "oras", for example, which means "time" is a cognate. As a native from the Philippines I wonder if my ancestors had their own native word for 'oras' or 'time'? If you know the answer to my query please leave a comment below because I honestly don't know how our natives in the distant past speak about the concepts of time.
Did Filipino Native Word For 'Time' Exist?
I feel like early settlers in this "unnamed" land had a specific term for the word "time" prior to c.a. 1500's --the century prior to Ferdinand Magellan's expedition. I feel like they had the word for 'time' but it was just forgotten by the locals because:
These days, you will least likely hear "ikalabíndalawá ng hapon" or "ikalawá ng umaga" or "ikalawá't kalahatì" from a random person in the Philippines speaking in their "primary language" unless you are in a kind of formal setting where some archaic Tagalog words are used.
I am one of those who believe that language is evolving and I am aware that some words are no longer being used in the mainstream. However, if we have the chance to use them frequently why shy away from our pure Tagalog words?
The language is beautiful. I lovingly volunteered myself to explore and share with you our native language and please join me in practicing the "deep" Tagalog language which is also known as Formal Tagalog Speech.
It seems to me that the numeral words like isá, dalawá or tatló are not colonial but native anyway. Smaller numbers, especially when talking about money/finances are still being used though. My tip for you is to remember the Tagalog numbers from 1 to 20 but please do not limit yourself by over simplification.
The functionality of native Tagalog number words has gone much lesser degree nowadays because of the fast-changing trends and exposure to foreign culture. Let us refer to today's Tagalog as "evolved Filipino" language which I also find acceptable. On both cases, deep versus evolved, I have a sure job to do and that is to deliver to you my lessons.
Most Filipino Locals Tell Time in English
Flashback four decades ago (more or less). Globalization was the name of the game enhanced by the Internet. English has become our international language. Hence, the use of Taglish among Filipinos especially in the big cities and in mainstream media.
An example of Taglish could be:
"Nag-text ako sa kanyá kanina around 9 AM. Siguro busy sya? Wait ko pa ang reply nya."
If you are a beginner in Tagalog I discourage you to use Taglish for the mean time. Taglish is for Advanced Tagalog speaker. Do not worry about many Filipinos laughing at you when you speak Tagalog like an old school.
You Can Tell Time In Deep Tagalog Speech
You are here to understand the language and my goal for you is to be able to construct Tagalog phrases while I expect you to mentally take note of its pattern. The pattern is your tool in speaking the language fluently. Most of all, I help you build your Tagalog vocabulary.
Therefore, never bother when others say like: "locals don't speak like that". You just have to be empathetic when they can't stand your style nor carry the conversation with you.
Let us begin by learning how to say the numbers in Tagalog. Below is the chart for first twelve Tagalog numbers:
| Mga Bilang | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Isá | One |
| Dalawá | Two |
| Tatló | Three |
| Apat | Four |
| Limá | Five |
| Anim | Five |
| Pitó | Seven |
| Waló | Eight |
| Siyám | Nine |
| Sampû | Ten |
| Labíng-isá | Eleven |
| Labíndalawá | Twelve |
Concepts Of Time In Formal Tagalog
When telling time in a formal way, we want to use the prefix "iká". Here is how you will say the round the clock time:
- ikaisa (1:00); ikaisá ng umaga (1:00 AM); ikaisá ng hapon (1:00 PM)
- ikadalawá (2:00); ikadalawá ng umaga (2:00 AM); ikadalawá ng hapon (2:00 PM)
- ikatatló (3:00); ikatatló ng umaga (3:00 AM); ikatatló ng hapon (3:00 PM)
- ikaapat (4:00); ikaapat ng umaga (4:00 AM); ikaapat ng hapon (4:00 PM)
- ikalimá (5:00); ikalimá ng umaga (5:00 AM); ikalimá ng hapon (5:00 PM)
- ikaanim (6:00); ikaanim ng umaga (6:00 AM); ikaanim ng hapon (6:00 PM)
- ikapitó (7:00); ikapitó ng umaga (7:00 AM); ikapitó ng gabí (7:00 PM)
- ikawaló (8:00); ikawaló ng umaga (8:00 AM); ikawaló ng gabí (8:00 PM)
- ikasiyám (9:00); ikasiyám ng umaga (9:00 AM); ikasiyám ng gabí (9:00 PM)
- ikasampû (10:00); ikasampû ng umaga (10:00 AM); ikasampû ng gabí (10:00 PM)
- ikalabíng-isá (11:00); ikalabíng-isá ng umaga (11:00 AM); ikalabíng-isá ng gabí (11:00 PM)
- ikalabindalawá (12:00); ikalabindalawá ng umaga (12:00 AM); ikalabindalawá ng tanghalì (12:00 PM)
Next you will need the following additional vocabulary in telling time:
umaga (morning)
hapon (afternoon)
gabí (evening)
tanghalì (noon)
kalahatì (half)
ikasiyám at kalahatì (9:30)
ikasiyám at dalawampû (9:20)
ikaapat at kalahatì (4:30)
ikaapat at apatnapút limá (4:45)
minuto (minute)
walóng minuto (8 minutes)
oras (hour)
dalawampú't apat na oras (24 hours)
bago (before)
bago mag-ikalawá ng hapon (before 2PM)
dalawáng minuto bago mag-ikalimá (2 minutes until 5:00)
labíng apat na minuto bago mag-ikaanim ng umaga (14 minutes until 6AM)
pagkalipas, makalipas (past)
pagkalipas ng isáng minuto (after 1 minute)
limáng minuto makalipas ang ikapitó ng gabí (5 minutes past 7PM)
tapát (exact)
labindalawá ng tanghaling tapát (exactly 12 noon)
tapát na ikatatló ng hapon (exactly 3PM)
You understand that numbers are infinite so our vocabulary list for now is quite incomplete. But the good news is that I will be able to write other more lessons that will guide you how to say numbers in pure Tagalog. Just leave me your e-mail so you'll get my lessons straight from your inbox.
Tagalog Conversation: About His/her Study Schedule (Tungkól sa Kanyáng Oras ng Pag-aaral)
At this point you have essential components and terminologies that you will use in telling time. Regardless if you are a beginner or not, I have prepared a sample conversation wherein time is expressed in deep Tagalog format.
If you can, find a language partner and practice the conversation presented above but if you want the best guidance that you desire, try my Saturday Coaching Calls online via Jitsi Meet. Happens regularly at 11:00 AM (ikalabíng-isá ng umaga) East Coast time. That is free of charge forever in our community. Feel free to contact me by submitting the form.
Yours truly,
Albine
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