What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of matagal (long time), nang (already/now), hindi (not) and nagkita (met/saw each other).
Which one should you use?
While matagal nang hindi nagkita is a standard way to express the sentiment, you can use Ang tagal nating hindi nagkita! to sound more natural and conversational in spoken Tagalog by adding Ang at the beginning and the particle nating. In very casual settings, you can even shorten the sentiment to just Tagal ah! to express surprise at how much time has passed.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For polite situations, you can use Matagal na po tayong hindi nagkita, Maganda pong araw! Matagal na tayong hindi nagkikita, or Ang tagal ng panahon simula nang huling magkasama tayo. For informal or colloquial settings, you might say Uy! Tagal natin hindi nagkita ah, Grabe! Ang tagal na nating hindi nagkikita! or the very casual Tagal ah!
How does it change in a sentence?
Using the aspectual form nagkikita instead of nagkita in the phrase matagal nang hindi nagkikita emphasizes the ongoing state of not seeing one another over a period of time.
Did you know?
- The root word tagal is part of a vast family of words found in languages from Madagascar to Hawaii, all tracing back to the same Proto-Malayo-Polynesian origins.
- While matagal means 'long time' in this phrase, it is also used to describe someone who is 'patient' or 'slow to anger'.
- In the casual variation Tagal ah!, the particle ah acts as a marker of surprise or realization rather than a question.
Examples in context
- Magandang umaga po! Matagal na po tayong hindi nagkita. Kumusta na po kayo?Good morning! It's been a while since we last saw each other. How are you?
- Uy! Tagal natin hindi nagkita ah. Ano'ng bago sa'yo?Hey! It's been a while since we last saw each other. What's new with you?
- Oo nga, sobrang tagal na. Eto, wala masyadong bago.Yeah, it's been so long. Nothing much new here.
- Matagal nang hindi nagkita ang dati nating mga kaklase.Our former classmates have not seen each other for a long time.
Example conversation
Juan and Angela bump into each other at a coffee shop.
- JuanAngela, matagal nang hindi nagkita!Angela, long time no see!
- AngelaOo nga, Juan, kumusta ka na?Yes indeed, Juan, how have you been?
- JuanMabuti naman ako.I am doing well.
- AngelaMasaya akong makita ka muli.I am happy to see you again.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hindi, matagal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
