Learning Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines, can be a rewarding experience. As you progress to the B2 level, your vocabulary will need to expand to accommodate more complex conversations and texts. This article will guide you through 50 essential words you need to know at this intermediate level. These words are fundamental for everyday conversations, as well as for understanding more nuanced topics in Tagalog.
Common Nouns
1. **Bansa** – This word means “country.” For example: “Ang Pilipinas ay isang magandang bansa.” (The Philippines is a beautiful country.)
2. **Pamilya** – Meaning “family,” it is crucial for discussing personal life. For example: “Mahalaga sa akin ang aking pamilya.” (My family is important to me.)
3. **Kaibigan** – This translates to “friend.” For example: “Si Maria ay isang mabuting kaibigan.” (Maria is a good friend.)
4. **Bahay** – Meaning “house” or “home.” For example: “Ang bahay ko ay nasa tabi ng ilog.” (My house is beside the river.)
5. **Paaralan** – This word means “school.” For example: “Nag-aaral ako sa isang malaking paaralan.” (I study at a big school.)
6. **Trabaho** – This word means “job” or “work.” For example: “Mayroon akong bagong trabaho.” (I have a new job.)
7. **Guro** – Meaning “teacher.” For example: “Ang aking guro ay mabait at matalino.” (My teacher is kind and intelligent.)
8. **Lungsod** – This translates to “city.” For example: “Maraming tao sa lungsod.” (There are many people in the city.)
9. **Araw** – This word means “day.” For example: “Masaya ang aking araw.” (My day is happy.)
10. **Gabi** – Meaning “night.” For example: “Tahimik ang gabi.” (The night is quiet.)
Common Verbs
11. **Mag-aral** – This verb means “to study.” For example: “Gusto kong mag-aral ng Tagalog.” (I want to study Tagalog.)
12. **Magtrabaho** – Meaning “to work.” For example: “Ako ay magtatrabaho bukas.” (I will work tomorrow.)
13. **Magluto** – This translates to “to cook.” For example: “Mahilig akong magluto ng adobo.” (I love cooking adobo.)
14. **Magbasa** – Meaning “to read.” For example: “Ako ay magbabasa ng libro.” (I will read a book.)
15. **Magsulat** – This verb means “to write.” For example: “Siya ay magsusulat ng liham.” (He/She will write a letter.)
16. **Maglaro** – Meaning “to play.” For example: “Ang mga bata ay maglalaro sa labas.” (The children will play outside.)
17. **Manood** – This translates to “to watch.” For example: “Manonood kami ng pelikula.” (We will watch a movie.)
18. **Makinig** – Meaning “to listen.” For example: “Makikinig ako sa musika.” (I will listen to music.)
19. **Matulog** – This verb means “to sleep.” For example: “Kailangan kong matulog nang maaga.” (I need to sleep early.)
20. **Lumangoy** – Meaning “to swim.” For example: “Kami ay lalangoy sa dagat.” (We will swim in the sea.)
Common Adjectives
21. **Maganda** – This word means “beautiful.” For example: “Maganda ang tanawin sa bundok.” (The view in the mountain is beautiful.)
22. **Matalino** – Meaning “intelligent.” For example: “Matalino ang aking kapatid.” (My sibling is intelligent.)
23. **Masaya** – This translates to “happy.” For example: “Masaya ako ngayon.” (I am happy today.)
24. **Malungkot** – Meaning “sad.” For example: “Malungkot siya dahil umuulan.” (He/She is sad because it is raining.)
25. **Mahaba** – This word means “long.” For example: “Mahaba ang pila sa tindahan.” (The line at the store is long.)
26. **Maikli** – Meaning “short.” For example: “Maikli ang kanyang buhok.” (Her/His hair is short.)
27. **Mainit** – This translates to “hot.” For example: “Mainit ang panahon ngayon.” (The weather is hot today.)
28. **Malamig** – Meaning “cold.” For example: “Malamig ang tubig.” (The water is cold.)
29. **Masarap** – This word means “delicious.” For example: “Masarap ang pagkain sa karinderya.” (The food at the eatery is delicious.)
30. **Mabait** – Meaning “kind.” For example: “Mabait ang aking kaibigan.” (My friend is kind.)
Common Adverbs
31. **Lagi** – This adverb means “always.” For example: “Lagi kang nasa isip ko.” (You are always on my mind.)
32. **Madalas** – Meaning “often.” For example: “Madalas kaming mag-usap.” (We often talk.)
33. **Minsan** – This translates to “sometimes.” For example: “Minsan ako ay nalulungkot.” (Sometimes I feel sad.)
34. **Bihira** – Meaning “rarely.” For example: “Bihira kaming magkita.” (We rarely see each other.)
35. **Kadalasan** – This word means “usually.” For example: “Kadalasan, ako ay nagbabasa bago matulog.” (Usually, I read before sleeping.)
36. **Kaunti** – Meaning “a little.” For example: “Kaunti lang ang natira.” (Only a little is left.)
37. **Marami** – This translates to “a lot.” For example: “Marami akong natutunan.” (I learned a lot.)
38. **Mabilis** – Meaning “quickly.” For example: “Mabilis siyang tumakbo.” (He/She runs quickly.)
39. **Dahan-dahan** – This word means “slowly.” For example: “Dahan-dahan kang maglakad.” (Walk slowly.)
40. **Tama** – Meaning “correctly.” For example: “Tama ang iyong sagot.” (Your answer is correct.)
Common Conjunctions
41. **At** – This conjunction means “and.” For example: “Siya at ako ay pupunta sa parke.” (He/She and I will go to the park.)
42. **Pero** – Meaning “but.” For example: “Gusto ko siyang makita, pero wala ako sa bahay.” (I want to see him/her, but I am not home.)
43. **Dahil** – This translates to “because.” For example: “Hindi ako makakapunta dahil may trabaho ako.” (I can’t go because I have work.)
44. **Kung** – Meaning “if.” For example: “Kung pupunta ka, sasama ako.” (If you go, I will come along.)
45. **Kahit** – This word means “even though.” For example: “Pumunta siya kahit umuulan.” (He/She went even though it was raining.)
46. **O** – Meaning “or.” For example: “Gusto mo ba ng kape o tsaa?” (Do you want coffee or tea?)
47. **Habang** – This translates to “while.” For example: “Nagbasa siya habang ako ay natutulog.” (He/She read while I was sleeping.)
48. **Kaya** – Meaning “so.” For example: “Masakit ang ulo ko kaya ako ay magpapahinga.” (My head hurts so I will rest.)
49. **Para** – This word means “for.” For example: “Ang bulaklak na ito ay para sa iyo.” (This flower is for you.)
50. **Ngunit** – Meaning “however.” For example: “Gusto kong maglakad, ngunit pagod na ako.” (I want to walk, however, I am tired.)
Conclusion
Mastering these 50 essential Tagalog words will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively at the B2 level. As you continue to practice and use these words in context, you’ll find yourself becoming more comfortable with the language. Remember, language learning is a gradual process that requires patience and consistent practice. Keep engaging with native speakers, immersing yourself in Tagalog media, and practicing these words regularly. Before you know it, you’ll be more fluent and confident in your Tagalog skills. Happy learning!
