Tagalog Repeated Pseudo-verbs

Pseudo-verbs can be repeated to intensify their meaning. Na/-ng (p. 28) is placed after the first pseudo-verb.

ayaw na ayaw	really don’t like/want etc.
gustong gusto	really like, really want etc.
kayang kaya	really can etc. (expressing ability)
pwedeng pwede	really can etc. (expressing possibility or permission)
kailangang kailangan	really need etc.
dapat na dapat (rarely used)	really should etc.

For the other meanings of the pseudo-verbs, see Pseudo-verbs: Overview (p. 207).

Sentences:

Gustong gusto ni John ang kotse.	John really likes/wants the car.
Gustong gustong kumain ni Pedro ng mangga.	Pedro really wants to eat a mango / some mangoes.

Please respect copyright. Learn more

This grammar guide is part of the Learning Tagalog Course.
Do you want to speak Tagalog fluently?