Language/Tagalog/Vocabulary/Telling-Time
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we will delve into the topic of telling time in Tagalog. Knowing how to tell time is an essential skill in any language, as it allows you to schedule appointments, arrange meetings, and understand the flow of daily life. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently express the time in Tagalog, including hours, minutes, and distinguishing between AM and PM. We will cover the vocabulary, grammar, and cultural aspects related to telling time, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of this topic.
Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Let's start by familiarizing ourselves with the vocabulary related to telling time in Tagalog. Here are some key words you'll need to know:
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| oras | oh-ras | hour/time |
| minuto | minoo-to | minute |
| alas | a-las | o'clock |
| hatinggabi | hat-ing-ga-bee | midnight |
| umaga | oo-ma-ga | morning |
| tanghali | tang-ha-lee | noon |
| hapon | ha-pon | afternoon |
| gabi | ga-bee | evening |
Telling the Hour[edit | edit source]
To tell the hour in Tagalog, we use the word "oras" followed by the number indicating the hour. Here are some examples:
- 1 o'clock - oras uno
- 2 o'clock - oras dos
- 3 o'clock - oras tres
In Tagalog, the numbers from 1 to 10 have specific words, while the numbers from 11 onwards are formed by combining the words for the tens and the ones. Here are the numbers from 1 to 10:
- isa (one)
- dalawa (two)
- tatlo (three)
- apat (four)
- lima (five)
- anim (six)
- pito (seven)
- walo (eight)
- siyam (nine)
- sampu (ten)
Let's see some examples using these numbers:
- 4 o'clock - oras apat
- 5 o'clock - oras lima
- 9 o'clock - oras siyam
Telling the Minutes[edit | edit source]
To express the minutes in Tagalog, we use the word "minuto" followed by the number indicating the minutes. Here are some examples:
- 10 minutes - sampung minuto
- 15 minutes - labinlimang minuto
- 30 minutes - tatlumpung minuto
For numbers from 11 to 19, we use the word "labing" followed by the corresponding number. Here are some examples:
- 12 minutes - labingdalawang minuto
- 17 minutes - labimpitong minuto
- 19 minutes - labingsiyam na minuto
AM and PM[edit | edit source]
In Tagalog, we use the terms "umaga" (morning), "tanghali" (noon), "hapon" (afternoon), and "gabi" (evening) to distinguish between AM and PM. Here are some examples:
- 8 AM - alas otso ng umaga
- 2 PM - alas dos ng hapon
- 7 PM - alas siyete ng gabi
Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]
Telling time in Tagalog is influenced by the country's history and cultural practices. The Spanish colonization of the Philippines for over 300 years has left a lasting impact on the language, including the way time is expressed. The use of the Spanish words "alas" and the borrowing of the Spanish names for the hours is a reflection of this influence.
It is also worth noting that the Filipino concept of time can be more flexible compared to Western cultures. Punctuality is important, but it is not uncommon for events to start later than scheduled. Filipinos generally have a more relaxed approach to time, emphasizing the importance of relationships and social interactions.
Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now, let's practice what we have learned. Translate the following sentences into Tagalog:
1. It's 9:30 AM. 2. It's 5:45 PM. 3. It's 12:15 PM. 4. It's 3:20 AM. 5. It's 7:50 PM.
Answers: 1. Alas nuwebe y medya ng umaga. 2. Alas singko at kuwarto ng gabi. 3. Alas dose y kinse ng tanghali. 4. Alas tres y dalawampu ng madaling-araw. 5. Alas syete y singkwenta ng gabi.
Explanation: 1. "Alas nuwebe" means "nine o'clock" and "medya" means "half". 2. "Alas singko" means "five o'clock", "kuwarto" means "quarter", and "gabi" means "evening". 3. "Alas dose" means "twelve o'clock", "kinse" means "fifteen", and "tanghali" means "noon". 4. "Alas tres" means "three o'clock", "dalawampu" means "twenty", and "madaling-araw" means "early morning". 5. "Alas syete" means "seven o'clock", "singkwenta" means "fifty", and "gabi" means "evening".
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have now learned how to tell time in Tagalog. This is a valuable skill that will enable you to communicate effectively and navigate daily life in a Filipino-speaking environment. Remember to practice regularly to reinforce your understanding and fluency in this topic.
In the next lesson, we will continue our journey through the world of Tagalog numbers and time by exploring how to express days and months in Tagalog.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- #1 Best Guide For Telling The Time In Tagalog - Ling App
- Tagalog Time Indicators: Telling Time - Tagalog Language SEASite
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Numbers and Counting
- Fruits
- Science and Technology
- Feelings and Emotions
- Law and Justice
- Say Yes
- Greetings and Polite Expressions
- Hobbies and Interests
- Animals
- Business and Work
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