Tagalog Na/-ng

Na/-ng is used to link certain words together. For instance, it is used to link adjectives with what they are describing.

na/-ng

rule: use after words ending in—

example

na

a consonant other than /n/

mabait na babae

nice woman

-ng

a vowel or /n/*

magandang babae

mayamang babae

pretty woman

rich woman

na/-ng

na

rule: use after words ending in—

a consonant other than /n/

example

mabait na babae

nice woman

na/-ng

-ng

rule: use after words ending in—

a vowel or /n/*

example

magandang babae

mayamang babae

pretty woman

rich woman

* /ng/ replaces /n/.

Na/-ng can also be understood as that, which or who. Examples:

asong tumalon

dog that jumped

batang kumanta

child that sang

ballpeng nahulog

ballpen na nahulog*

pen that fell

* When used to mean that, which or who, na may also be used after words ending in a vowel or /n/.

Other uses of na/-ng are covered in later chapters.

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