Tagalog Ayaw, Gusto, Kaya, Kailangan

The doer is expressed as a Ng phrase (p. 59). The object may be expressed as an Ang phrase (p. 59) (definite) or a Ng phrase (indefinite).

Ayaw ni John ang kotse.

John doesn’t like/want the car.

Gusto ni John ang kotse.

John likes/wants the car.

Kaya ni John ang trabaho.

John can do the job.

Kailangan ni John ang trabaho.

John needs the job.

Ayaw ni John ng kotse.

John doesn’t want a car.

Gusto ni John ng kotse.

John wants a car.

Kailangan ni John ng kotse.

John needs a car.

Only for ayaw: The object may also be expressed as a Sa phrase (p. 59) (definite).

Ayaw ni John sa kotse.

John doesn’t like the car.

Ayaw ni John sa teacher.

John doesn’t like the teacher.

Ayaw ni John sa kanya.

John doesn’t like him/her.

Note: Ayaw ko is often shortened to ayoko.

Please respect copyright. Learn more

Contents  |  Detailed Contents  |  Up ▲

See notes on Terminology and Pronunciation Marks

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

Try the course

Tagalog grammar book

From Essential Tagalog Grammar: A Reference for Learners of Tagalog, Second Edition
By Fiona De Vos

“I got a copy of your book and I love it. It’s really the best I’ve come across.”
— Martin Kelemenis, Geneva, Switzerland