tanga ka ba?
/taˈŋa ka ba/word by word
In Tagalog, "are you stupid" is translated as tanga ka ba?
The phrase is a rude question used to insult someone's intelligence or to criticize a foolish action.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tanga (stupid), ka (you) and the question particle ba.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tanga ka ba? is highly informal and can be perceived as an aggressive insult.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word order follows a subject-predicate structure common in Tagalog questions.
How do you pronounce it?
/taˈŋa ka ba/
Did you know?
- The particle ba used in this question is a common feature in many Austronesian languages, including Malagasy, where it appears as 'va'.
- The word tanga may be linked to the physical act of gawking, originally describing someone who stands with their mouth hanging wide open in a state of stupor.
- While tanga ka ba? is a rude insult, friends may use it jokingly to point out a clumsy mistake, depending on the tone of voice.
Examples in context
- Tanga ka ba? Bakit hindi mo alam iyan?Are you stupid? Why don't you know that?
- Bobo ka ba? Hindi mo pa rin naintindihan?Are you dumb? You still don't understand?
- Bakit, tanga ka ba?Why, are you stupid?
Example conversation
Two people are arguing about a mistake made with money.
- JoseTanga ka ba?Are you stupid?
- MariaHindi, nagkamali lang ako.No, I just made a mistake.
- JosePaano mo nagawa iyon?How could you do that?
- MariaHindi mo ako dapat sigawan.You shouldn't yell at me.
