Tagalog Huwag

Huwag is used to form a negative command, request or wish.

1. huwag ka/kayo/mo/ninyo -ng + basic form

don’t

Note: The unstarted form (p. 185) of the verb may also be used.

Huwag kang kumain.

Huwag kang kakain.

Don’t eat.

Huwag mong kainin ito.

Huwag mong kakainin ito.

Don’t eat this.

2. huwag tayo/natin -ng + basic form

let’s not

Huwag tayong kumain.	Let’s not eat.
Huwag nating kainin ito.	Let’s not eat this.

3. huwag sana -ng + basic form

I hope… not

Huwag sanang manalo si Pacquiao.

I hope Pacquiao doesn’t win.

4. huwag kaya’ -ng + basic form

perhaps… shouldn’t

Huwag kaya’ tayong kumain.

Perhaps we shouldn’t eat.

Huwag kaya’ siyang magluto’.

Perhaps he/she shouldn’t cook.

Huwag ko kayang tingnan.

Perhaps I shouldn’t have a look.

Lit. (It/They) perhaps shouldn’t be looked at by me.

Huwag can also be combined with an adjective instead of a verb, as in the following sentences:

5. huwag – don’t be

Huwag kang maingay.

Don’t be noisy.

6. huwag – let’s not be

Huwag tayong maingay.

Let’s not be noisy.

7. Huwag can also stand alone.

Huwag.

Don’t.

Don’t do that.

Let’s not do that.