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kakaba kaba kaba?
You are reading: Best books to learn tagalog
This phrase may seem funny or strange. but for Filipinos, it is a well-known tongue twister that means “are you nervous”?
This is one of the unique features of the Filipino language: it takes one or two syllables and then uses them repeatedly to form a word, a phrase, or in this case, a complete sentence.
Tagalog is an interesting language to master. Learning it will allow you to speak with more than 22 million native speakers in the Philippines and around two million speakers in Canada and the United States. In fact, it is the fifth most spoken language in North America, thanks to Filipino migrations.
Do you want to learn the language but don’t know where to start? it’s time to turn to some of the best books to learn Tagalog.
The distinction between Tagalog and Filipino
but first, you might be wondering… isn’t filipino the national language of the philippines? Is Filipino the same as Tagalog?
The short answer to this is no. they are not the same. Filipino is the standardized form of Tagalog.
To be clear, the Philippines is home to around 175 languages and dialects. eight of these, including Tagalog, are spoken by the majority.
Tagalog is the native language of the people of the Tagalog region and southern Luzon, including the capital, Manila. therefore, it was declared as the basis of the national language in 1937. It was renamed Pilipino and then Filipino in 1959 and 1987, respectively.
Filipino is the evolution of Tagalog and they share many similarities in both vocabulary and grammar. however, Filipino also includes localized or modified words from the English, Chinese, and Spanish languages. learning Tagalog, in essence, also helps you learn Filipino.
And with that out of the way, off to the list!
the best books to learn Tagalog
books to learn Tagalog grammar and vocabulary
1. Tagalog for Beginners: An Introduction to Filipino, the National Language of the Philippines
This can be a great introduction for Tagalog learners planning to visit the Philippines. It is also one of the best books to learn Tagalog if you are of Filipino descent but live outside of the Philippines. not only helps you gain communication skills in Tagalog, but also provides practical cultural points.
This beginner’s book covers the history of Tagalog, useful vocabulary with concise explanations and realistic dialogue. There are also plenty of activities and exercises to help you practice what you’ve learned.
expect to learn how to shop, order food, express your emotions, and hold conversations with the locals after reading this book.
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key features:
- practical and realistic language you can use in everyday situations
- activities and exercises to help you read, write and speak
- accompanied by online audio recordings to improve listening and speaking skills
- useful notes on the history of Tagalog and Filipino culture
2. Standard Tagalog-English/English-Tagalog Dictionary
A bilingual dictionary is one of the best ways to build your vocabulary arsenal. This Tagalog-English/English-Tagalog dictionary has over 20,000 entries including idioms, slang, loan words, and derivations.
Despite being published in 2002, this is still one of the best books to learn Tagalog as much of its content is still relevant. That said, this is not the best book for absolute beginners. Ideally, you should use it as a complement to other Tagalog books or courses.
In addition to dictionary entries, this book also contains grammar reviews and pronunciation guides.
See Also: Mary Alice Monroe Books in Order (Beach House, The Islanders, Lowcountry Summer) – How To Read Me
key features:
- 20,000 dictionary entries
- includes idiomatic expressions, slang, loanwords, and derivations.
- Introductory grammar lessons
3. Intermediate Tagalog: Learn to speak fluent Tagalog (Filipino), the national language of the Philippines
From the author of Tagalog for Beginners, Intermediate Tagalog is designed for students who already speak or understand basic Tagalog and now want to further their studies.
This book contains 20 carefully crafted lessons that help readers improve their speaking, reading, and writing skills. teaches the language through real-life conversations and stories, provides an extensive vocabulary list, and even points out common grammar mistakes.
Packed with interesting cultural notes, this is also a great book if you want to know more about Filipino culture and the history of the language.
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key features:
- 20 structured lessons
- lessons include describe, tell stories, explain and reason in Filipino
- real-life dialogues to improve conversation skills
- vocabulary list and grammar review
- writing exercises
4. Filipino (Tagalog) phrasebook by lonely planet & dictionary
lonely planet has been publishing travel guides since 1973 and this level of expertise is on display in this helpful Tagalog phrasebook and dictionary. With over 3,500 entries translated into English, you’ll be able to navigate the Philippines with ease.
This pocket book includes easy-to-find phrases for every travel situation. Whether you need to order food and explain food allergies, ask for directions, converse with locals, and deal with emergencies, they’ve got you covered. survival quotes are conveniently located inside the cover.
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key features:
- 3,500 bi-directional dictionary entries
- small size makes it perfect for travelers
- survival phrases inside front cover for easy access
- user -friendly design
5. Tagalog Picture Dictionary: Learn 1500 Tagalog Words and Expressions
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Who said picture books are just for kids? We can all be visual learners at any age! Covering the 1500 most useful Tagalog words and phrases, this is one of the best books to learn Tagalog, whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart.
The book covers different practical situations and cultural topics, with hundreds of full color photographs. also includes romanized versions of Tagalog words to help you pronounce them correctly, as well as the English meanings.
Learn the basics like meeting someone new, using public transportation, celebrating Filipino holidays, and more!
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key features:
- 1,500 most useful Tagalog words and phrases
- 40 different topics and themes
- romanized Tagalog scripts as pronunciation guide
- recordings of online audio by native Tagalog speakers
6. let’s learn tagalog kit
Although not technically a book, the flashcard kit is an effective learning aid for visual learners. but if you want a version that you can easily access anytime, anywhere, you can go for the eBook.
The game comes with 64 Tagalog flashcards organized into themes such as family, animals, colors, numbers, and more. Each word is presented with a picture and a sample sentence to help with learning and remembering. downloadable audio recordings of each word also help with pronunciation.
Although it is made for children, adults with no previous knowledge of Tagalog will also find it useful and fun. It is also ideal for parents who want their children to learn Tagalog.
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key features:
- 64 Tagalog flashcards organized into thematic categories.
- wall chart of key words and phrases
- 32-page learning guide for parents and teachers
- download recordings of words, sentences and songs
best storybooks and activity books to learn tagalog
7. salt bread saves the day
We don’t need to stick with the usual Filipino grammar book to learn the language! make learning even more fun by reading stories.
salt pan saves the day is an award-winning book about a Filipino girl who develops her self-confidence after spending a day with her classmates.
Stirring and beautifully illustrated, this book contains inspirational lessons and Tagalog lessons as the story is printed in both Tagalog and English. Although it is not a structured way to learn the language, it can strengthen comprehension skills.
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key features:
- presented in English and Tagalog
- beautiful illustrations
- great for intermediate level students to test their comprehension skills
8. short stories in tagalog for beginners
This collection of slang mastery stories is one of the best books for learning Tagalog if you are already at the intermediate and advanced levels. the short stories are in full Tagalog, there are no English translations!
Before that scares you, each story comes with a summary in both Tagalog and English, so you’ll more or less know what it’s about. Vocabulary lists are also provided after the summaries, as well as tricky Tagalog questions that will test your understanding.
It helps if the stories are interesting and thought-provoking so you don’t get bored. And since most of them are based on real-life situations, you’ll also learn a bit more about Pinoy culture.
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key features:
- 20 easy to read and interesting stories, all in Tagalog
- summary of each story in Tagalog and English
- Tagalog vocabulary list and questions
9. dingding, ningning, singsing and other funny Tagalog words
Learning Tagalog doesn’t have to always be serious and boring! With this colorful and charming book, you and your children can enjoy learning Filipino vocabulary with fun and unique Tagalog words.
This book creatively introduces Tagalog alliteration and highlights the many fun facets of the language. as one review said, reading “kilikili” (armpit) inevitably leads to a tickle fight. Without a doubt, this book is a fun and interactive learning activity for children and parents alike.
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key features:
- fun, engaging and creative way to teach vernacular Tagalog
- rich and colorful illustrations
- ideal for kids and beginners
10. activity book salt pan saves the day
From the inspiring story of pan de sal comes a more interactive piece: an activity book packed with Filipino puzzles and games!
one of the most fun books to learn Tagalog for both children and adults, it comes with beautiful illustrations and exciting games. You can test your Tagalog aptitude with games like crossword puzzles, word searches, word scrambles and more.
See Also: Mary Alice Monroe Books in Order (Beach House, The Islanders, Lowcountry Summer) – How To Read Me
key features:
- full of colorful illustrations
- fun and interactive games and exercises
- with answer key on the back
11. bahay kubo and other philippine folk songs for children
Imagine a whole song listing the beloved vegetables of the Philippines? now that’s fun!
This book includes 22 of the most beloved classic children’s songs from the Philippines, all with beautiful illustrations and lyrics in both Tagalog and English.
This book is ideal as a teaching aid for parents who know Tagalog and want their children to learn the language and culture. however, it may not be the best resource for beginners who don’t know the songs, as it only contains the lyrics and doesn’t play the songs.
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key features:
- 22 of the most beloved classic children’s songs from the Philippines
- with cute illustrations
- lyrics in Tagalog and English
books to learn Tagalog and Filipino culture
12. salamat po!: learning to show respect in the filipino culture
another suitable book for children, salamat po is a great tool to learn not only some Tagalog words but also Filipino values. Respect, especially for elders, is a very important concept in Filipino culture and something heritage students should not miss out on.
Simple, direct, and easy to follow, this book contains Tagalog words related to respect and other Filipino cultural themes presented with colorful illustrations. the explanations of each concept are in English.
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key features:
- excellent way to learn Filipino values
- colorful and attractive illustrations
- simple and easy to read
13. Filipino celebrations: a treasure trove of parties and festivals
One of the most interesting parts of Philippine culture is the ‘fiesta’, or essentially a festival, celebration, or holiday that is usually held in honor of a patron saint or a particular season (e.g. harvest season ). Filipinos are a fun-loving bunch and this is reflected in their many celebrations and gatherings.
This book lists different Philippine holidays, their history, cultural influences, and how they are celebrated. You’ll learn Tagalog words and phrases related to birthdays, major holidays, city festivals, holiday foods, customs, and more!
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key features:
- a list of special celebrations and festivals in the Philippines
- history, influences and special customs for each holiday
- unique way to learn Tagalog and Filipino culture
best audiobooks in tagalog
14. learn Filipino – level 1 introduction to Filipino
With this innovative language audiobook, you will learn to speak Tagalog hands-free. this is perfect for studying while driving, commuting, or doing chores around the house.
This comprehensive Philippine introduction is biased for practical and daily life application. you can hear natural conversations with carefully selected vocabulary and key grammar concepts. it also explains cultural nuances so you get a full understanding of each lesson.
Best of all, the audio lessons are recorded by native speakers. this allows you to learn the correct pronunciation of words and sentences.
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key features:
- basic lessons with real life practical conversations
- explanations on the writing system, grammar, pronunciation and cultural context
- recorded pronunciation guides by native speakers
- review clues that encourage students to repeat the words and phrases out loud
15. Tagalog pimsleur
Last but definitely not least, pimsleur is a great option if you’re looking for a science-backed method of learning Tagalog.
Focused on learning to speak Tagalog comfortably, each Pimsleur Tagalog lesson features spoken language practice, introductory conversations, new vocabulary and grammatical structures.
the emphasis is on pronunciation and comprehension, which helps you build confidence when speaking.
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key features:
- portable and easily downloadable
- 30 minutes of spoken language practice per lesson
- with attached pdf for your audible library
tips to learn Filipino fast
so you have all these resources at your disposal. But having even the best books to learn Tagalog is not a guarantee that you will quickly become fluent. here are some ways to make the most of your learning journey.
1. Set clear goals
why do you want to study Filipino? what level do you want to reach? How many words should you memorize per week?
These are just a few questions you will need to answer before learning a new language. Having clear goals will keep you engaged and motivated to accomplish each goal.
It may have started as a random hobby or whim, but as you progress with your Tagalog lessons, you’ll need goals to keep you on track.
2. consume all filipino
Books to learn Tagalog can only take you so far. immersion is key when learning languages.
To train your ears and develop listening and comprehension skills, you can access any of these:
- Tagalog movies and series on streaming sites
- Funny and quirky Filipino vloggers on YouTube and other social media platforms
- opm or original Filipino music
- Filipino pieces of fiction or non-fiction that are easily accessible.
With these options, learning new words, phrases or slang is a snap!
3. commit and practice
While many of these Tagalog books are great for self-study, consistency plays a huge role in your progress.
Schedule and commit to regular reading sessions. supplement them with apps and podcasts. better yet, have someone to talk to directly. An experienced Tagalog tutor can help you practice your speaking skills.
Don’t be shy if you’re just starting out with vocabulary or grammar, you’ll feel comfortable speaking your new language if you practice constantly.
4. challenge yourself
Setting goals means having some kind of metric to test yourself against. Don’t be afraid to put your skills to the test. in this way, you will be able to assess if you need more lessons or focus more on a certain topic.
5. enjoy!
At first, you will find that your accent is strange or you will pronounce words incorrectly. you can interchange your verbs and you can confuse one word with another meaning (we have many Tagalog words that have more than one meaning). all to say that you will make a lot of mistakes along the way.
and that’s fine. it is part of the learning process.
Learning new things shouldn’t be such a chore or a bore! dive right in and enjoy the ride.
In no time, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve accomplished and how much fun you’ve been having!
did this list of books to learn Tagalog inspire you to go deeper in your learning journey? If you’re also interested in learning on the go, you can also check out our recommended apps for learning Tagalog.
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