Tagalog Pseudo-verbs: Overview

ayaw

don’t like/want, wouldn’t like/want

gusto

like, would like, want

kaya

can (do), could (do)

(expressing ability)

pwede

can, could, may, might

(expressing possibility or permission)

kailangan

need, ought (to), must, should

(often connotes a self-imposed need or duty)

dapat

ought (to), must, should

(often connotes a need or duty imposed by others or society)

Note:

1. Pseudo-verbs have no aspects (p. 180).

2. In written Tagalog and formal spoken Tagalog, the following alternatives can be used:

3. When used alone as adjectives:

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