Language/Tagalog/Grammar/Future-Tense
Hi Tagalog learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about the future tense in Tagalog. The future tense refers to an action that will happen in the future. This tense is important to learn if you want to describe future events, make plans, or talk about what you will do.
Future Marker
In Tagalog, the future tense is formed by using a future marker "mag-", which is attached to the beginning of a verb. For example, "kain" means "to eat", and "magkakain" means "will eat".
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| kain | /kaɪn/ | eat |
| magkakain | /mag-ka-kaɪn/ | will eat |
Future Tense Affixes
To convey more specific information about the future event, Tagalog uses different affixes. These affixes are added to "mag-" to create new words with different meanings. Here are some examples:
Mag-i-
"Mag-i-" is used to describe actions that will happen soon or are in the process of happening.
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tatakbo | /ta-tak-bo/ | run |
| magtatakbo | /mag-ta-tak-bo/ | will run (soon) |
| magtitatakbo | /mag-ti-ta-tak-bo/ | will be running |
Mag-u-
"Mag-u-" is used to describe actions that will happen later in the future.
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| laro | /la-ro/ | play |
| maglalaro | /mag-la-la-ro/ | will play (later) |
| maglalaru'n | /mag-la-la-run/ | will be playing |
Ma-
"Ma-" is used to describe actions that will happen unintentionally or unexpectedly.
| Tagalog | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| tulog | /tu-log/ | sleep |
| matutulog | /ma-tu-tu-log/ | will fall asleep |
| magmamata | /mag-ma-ma-ta/ | will unintentionally sleep |
Using Time Expressions
Tagalog also uses time expressions to indicate when a future event will occur. Here are some examples:
- Bukas - tomorrow
- Mamaya - later
- Sa susunod na linggo - next week
- Sa darating na buwan - next month
You can add these time expressions after the future marker to create a more specific meaning. For example,
- Maglalaro ako bukas - I will play tomorrow
- Magbabasa ako mamaya - I will read later
- Magmamartsa kami sa susunod na linggo - We will march next week
- Magbabakasyon kami sa darating na buwan - We will go on vacation next month
Examples in Context
To better understand the future tense, let's look at a dialogue:
- Person 1: Magkakain tayo mamaya. (We will eat later.)
- Person 2: Anong lulutuin natin? (What will we cook?)
- Person 1: Magluluto ako ng adobo at kanin. (I will cook adobo and rice.)
- Person 2: Masarap yan! (That sounds delicious!)
In this dialogue, we can see how the future marker "mag-" is used to indicate that they will eat later. Person 1 also uses the affix "maglu-" to indicate that they will cook the food. Additionally, Person 1 mentions a specific food they will cook and Person 2 expresses their excitement for it.
Practice Exercise
Now let's practice using the future tense! Complete the following sentences with the correct future tense verb.
1. Magkaka-__ tayo sa susunod na buwan. (We will have a party next month.) 2. Mag-U__ ka sa amin mamaya? (Will you join us later?) 3. Magmama__ tayo sa kalsada. (We will walk on the street.)
Tips
To improve your Tagalog Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
Sources
- How to Conjugate Filipino and Tagalog Verbs: Types and Tenses ...
- Tagalog grammar-past present and future tense | Study Tagalog
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Videos
Learn Tagalog: MAG Verbs (Forming Future, Present, & Past Tense ...
FUTURE TENSE in Filipino 1 | Tagalog Grammar Tutorial - YouTube
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- Pronouns
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