How to Learn Words in Tagalog
Tagalog is one of the main languages spoken by the people of the Philippines and is the root of Filipino, the country's national language. Although many Filipinos speak English, travelers to the Philippines will enjoy their trip even more if they learn to speak a few words of Tagalog ahead of time. Use a mix of online and offline resources to learn a basic Tagalog vocabulary, and then, if you find you enjoy the language or are taking an extended trip to the Philippines, consider pursuing a full course of study.
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Instructions
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Search online for websites with Tagalog vocabulary audio files. For example, Tagalog Lang offers free audio files covering Tagalog words and phrases used in everyday interactions. MyLanguages.org provides online Tagalog audio files and full lessons you can download to your computer or mobile device.
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Create flashcards from words you discover online. Write the Tagalog word on a blank card with its English translation underneath. Carry the cards with you at all times. You can memorize words from flashcards during short periods of free time, such as traveling on the bus, waiting for a meeting to begin or standing in line at the grocery store. Set a goal of learning a certain number of new Tagalog words every day.
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Use a dictionary to translate newspapers written in Tagalog. Newspapers such as Abante Tonite and the Pilipino Star Ngayon update their websites daily with short articles about news, sports, entertainment and culture. Read at least one article every day and write down commonly repeated vocabulary on flashcards to memorize later.
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Watch Tagalog vocabulary-learning videos online. Search on websites such as YouTube or Daily Motion for Tagalog lessons from native speakers. There are several free short courses available covering vocabulary for situations such as shopping, traveling, eating in restaurants, national holidays and paying someone a compliment.
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Join My Language Exchange and speak to native speakers in Tagalog. Register for the website and pay the monthly fee. Decide if you want to text, email or voice chat and initiate contact with a Tagalog speaker who wishes to do the same. During the session, half the time is spent chatting in Tagalog and the other half in English, so the Tagalog speaker can learn your language too. Commit to several sessions a week to increase your Tagalog vocabulary faster.
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Find a pen pal from the Philippines on My Language Exchange and write short letters in Tagalog. Agree to correct your pen pal's English skills in exchange for them helping you with Tagalog. Writing to a pen pal is also an excellent way to learn about Filipino culture and may even help you find a friend to visit in the Philippines.
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