How to Say "A" in Tagalog - How To Say Guide

isang

The Tagalog indefinite article "a" is expressed by isang.

isang is used as an indefinite article before a singular noun to refer to one person or thing.

What does it mean word for word?

isang is a contraction of isa (one) and the linker -ng.

While isang is used before a noun, use isa if the number is used alone or at the end of a phrase without a following noun.

To express "some" or to make a noun plural, replace the indefinite article isang with the plural marker mga.

While isang means 'a' or 'one', adding the prefix ka- creates ka-isa, which transforms the meaning from a simple number to 'unity' or 'being one with someone'.
The word isa is a cognate of the Malay word esa, which is used specifically to refer to the 'oneness' or uniqueness of God in Islamic contexts.
In some Philippine dialects, the word for 'one' is shared with the word for 'first', meaning isa can imply the start of a sequence depending on the context.

Ito ay isang tinidor.
This is a fork.
This sentence shows how to identify an object using isang.
Tatoeba #11468660 by qwertzu, translation #3605386 by karloelkebekio
Isang tasang tsa, nga.
Please give me a cup of tea.
This sentence shows how to request a single unit of something using isang.
Tatoeba #1822085 by nonong, translation #64198 by CK
Isang baso ng tubig, po.
I'd like a glass of water, please.
This sentence shows how to request a single container of a liquid using isang.
Tatoeba #1611663 by nonong, translation #270845 by CK
Isang libro ang binili ko.
I bought one book.
Ang babae ay kumakain.
The woman is eating.
Sa bahay niya kami pupunta.
We're going to his/her house.
826 more sentences on Tatoeba

Mark and Christina are at a bakery.

Sources

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