Learning to count in Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines, is a valuable skill for anyone interested in Filipino culture, travel, or business. Tagalog is a rich and expressive language, and understanding its numerical system can enhance your communication with native speakers. This article will guide you through the process of counting from 1 to 50 in Tagalog, providing you with the necessary vocabulary and pronunciation tips.

Basic Numbers from 1 to 10

Before diving into the higher numbers, it’s essential to master the basics. The numbers from 1 to 10 in Tagalog are the foundation for all other numbers. Here is a list of the numbers from 1 to 10 in Tagalog along with their pronunciation:

1 – Isa (ee-sah)
2 – Dalawa (dah-lah-wah)
3 – Tatlo (taht-loh)
4 – Apat (ah-paht)
5 – Lima (lee-mah)
6 – Anim (ah-neem)
7 – Pito (pee-toh)
8 – Walo (wah-loh)
9 – Siyam (shahm)
10 – Sampu (sahm-poo)

Practice these numbers until you feel comfortable with their pronunciation and meaning.

Numbers from 11 to 19

The numbers from 11 to 19 in Tagalog are formed by combining the word for ten, “sampu,” with the numbers from 1 to 9. However, in Tagalog, the word “sampu” is shortened to “sampu’t” when combined with another number. Here are the numbers from 11 to 19:

11 – Labing-isa (lah-bing-ee-sah)
12 – Labindalawa (lah-bin-dah-lah-wah)
13 – Labintatlo (lah-bin-taht-loh)
14 – Labing-apat (lah-bing-ah-paht)
15 – Labinlima (lah-bin-lee-mah)
16 – Labing-anim (lah-bing-ah-neem)
17 – Labimpito (lah-bim-pee-toh)
18 – Labing-walo (lah-bing-wah-loh)
19 – Labinsiyam (lah-bin-shahm)

Notice how the prefix “labin-” or “labing-” is used to indicate that the number is in the teens.

Numbers from 20 to 29

The number 20 in Tagalog is “dalawampu.” For the numbers 21 to 29, “dalawampu” is combined with the numbers from 1 to 9, similar to how we say “twenty-one” or “twenty-two” in English. Here are the numbers from 20 to 29:

20 – Dalawampu (dah-lah-wahm-poo)
21 – Dalawampu’t isa (dah-lah-wahm-poo’t ee-sah)
22 – Dalawampu’t dalawa (dah-lah-wahm-poo’t dah-lah-wah)
23 – Dalawampu’t tatlo (dah-lah-wahm-poo’t taht-loh)
24 – Dalawampu’t apat (dah-lah-wahm-poo’t ah-paht)
25 – Dalawampu’t lima (dah-lah-wahm-poo’t lee-mah)
26 – Dalawampu’t anim (dah-lah-wahm-poo’t ah-neem)
27 – Dalawampu’t pito (dah-lah-wahm-poo’t pee-toh)
28 – Dalawampu’t walo (dah-lah-wahm-poo’t wah-loh)
29 – Dalawampu’t siyam (dah-lah-wahm-poo’t shahm)

Again, notice the use of the apostrophe before the number, indicating the combination.

Numbers from 30 to 39

The number 30 in Tagalog is “tatlumpu.” For the numbers 31 to 39, “tatlumpu” is combined with the numbers from 1 to 9. Here are the numbers from 30 to 39:

30 – Tatlumpu (taht-loom-poo)
31 – Tatlumpu’t isa (taht-loom-poo’t ee-sah)
32 – Tatlumpu’t dalawa (taht-loom-poo’t dah-lah-wah)
33 – Tatlumpu’t tatlo (taht-loom-poo’t taht-loh)
34 – Tatlumpu’t apat (taht-loom-poo’t ah-paht)
35 – Tatlumpu’t lima (taht-loom-poo’t lee-mah)
36 – Tatlumpu’t anim (taht-loom-poo’t ah-neem)
37 – Tatlumpu’t pito (taht-loom-poo’t pee-toh)
38 – Tatlumpu’t walo (taht-loom-poo’t wah-loh)
39 – Tatlumpu’t siyam (taht-loom-poo’t shahm)

Numbers from 40 to 49

The number 40 in Tagalog is “apatnapu.” For the numbers 41 to 49, “apatnapu” is combined with the numbers from 1 to 9. Here are the numbers from 40 to 49:

40 – Apatnapu (ah-paht-nah-poo)
41 – Apatnapu’t isa (ah-paht-nah-poo’t ee-sah)
42 – Apatnapu’t dalawa (ah-paht-nah-poo’t dah-lah-wah)
43 – Apatnapu’t tatlo (ah-paht-nah-poo’t taht-loh)
44 – Apatnapu’t apat (ah-paht-nah-poo’t ah-paht)
45 – Apatnapu’t lima (ah-paht-nah-poo’t lee-mah)
46 – Apatnapu’t anim (ah-paht-nah-poo’t ah-neem)
47 – Apatnapu’t pito (ah-paht-nah-poo’t pee-toh)
48 – Apatnapu’t walo (ah-paht-nah-poo’t wah-loh)
49 – Apatnapu’t siyam (ah-paht-nah-poo’t shahm)

The Number 50

Finally, we reach the number 50, which in Tagalog is “limampu.” Here is the pronunciation for the number 50:

50 – Limampu (lee-mahm-poo)

Tips for Learning Tagalog Numbers

Learning a new numerical system can be challenging, but here are some tips to make the process easier:

1. Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key to mastering numbers in any language. Try to incorporate Tagalog numbers into your daily routine. For instance, count objects around you in Tagalog, or practice counting while doing daily tasks.

2. Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with the numbers in Tagalog on one side and the numbers in English on the other. This method can help reinforce your memory through active recall.

3. Listen and Repeat: Listening to native speakers and repeating after them can significantly improve your pronunciation. There are numerous online resources, such as YouTube videos and language learning apps, that can provide you with audio examples.

4. Engage with Native Speakers: If possible, practice speaking with native Tagalog speakers. This interaction will not only help you with numbers but also with your overall language skills.

5. Use Mnemonics: Create mnemonic devices to help remember the numbers. For instance, you could associate “sampu” with “ten” by thinking of a ten-sided sampaloc (tamarind fruit) tree.

Common Uses of Numbers in Tagalog

Understanding numbers in Tagalog is useful for various practical situations. Here are some common uses:

1. Telling Time: Knowing how to count in Tagalog can help you tell time. For example, “alas dos” means “two o’clock.”

2. Shopping: When shopping in the Philippines, knowing numbers can help you understand prices and quantities. For instance, “isang kilo” means “one kilogram.”

3. Dates: Numbers are essential for understanding dates. For example, “ika-dalawampu’t lima ng Disyembre” means “the twenty-fifth of December.”

4. Addresses: Numbers are often used in addresses. For example, “ikalawang palapag” means “second floor.”

5. Measurements: Knowing numbers is useful for measurements, such as “tatlong litro” for “three liters.”

Practice Exercises

To reinforce your learning, here are some practice exercises:

1. Count from 1 to 50: Practice counting from 1 to 50 in Tagalog without looking at the list.

2. Translate Numbers: Write down random numbers from 1 to 50 and translate them into Tagalog.

3. Real-Life Application: Use Tagalog numbers in real-life situations, such as counting items or telling the time.

4. Listen to Native Speakers: Find audio resources where native speakers use numbers, and try to follow along.

5. Quiz Yourself: Ask a friend or use an app to quiz yourself on Tagalog numbers.

Conclusion

Learning to count to 50 in Tagalog is an excellent way to start your journey into the Filipino language. By mastering these numbers, you will be better equipped to engage with native speakers and understand various aspects of Filipino culture. Remember to practice regularly, use available resources, and apply your knowledge in real-life situations. With dedication and persistence, you’ll find that counting in Tagalog becomes second nature.