umaga
/ʔuˈmaɡa/
The English word "morning" is translated into Tagalog as umaga.
umaga is a noun used to describe the part of the day between dawn and midday.
Meaning: part of the day between dawn and midday (noun)
Which one should you use?
While umaga refers to the morning, the word tanghali is used to refer to midday or noon. If you need to refer to the very early hours of the morning, specifically dawn or the period before sunrise, use madaling-araw.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the frequency of "every morning", use the phrase tuwing umaga. To specify "this morning", use the phrase ngayong umaga.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔuˈmaɡa/
Did you know?
- In the Philippines, the phrase Magandang umaga is often accompanied by a slight nod or a smile, but rarely a handshake unless it is a formal business meeting.
- The word umaga is shared by other indigenous languages of the Philippines, such as Remontado Agta, reflecting an ancient linguistic bond across the islands.
- Filipinos often use the phrase umaga pa lang to express that it is 'still early' in the morning, regardless of the actual clock time.
Examples in context
- Namamalengke ako bawat umaga.I go shopping every morning.Tatoeba #1704349 by nonong, translation #3075828 by AkuNeko
- Badtrip si Tom ngayong umaga.Tom is in a bad mood this morning.Tatoeba #11655554 by qwertzu, translation #1025000 by CK
- Gumising akong maaga sa umaga.I got up early in the morning.Tatoeba #1708218 by nonong, translation #259492 by CK
- 91 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mark and Christina are chatting at a cafe.
- ChristinaMagandang umaga, Mark!Good morning, Mark!
- MarkMagandang umaga rin sa iyo, Christina.Good morning to you too, Christina.
- ChristinaAnong ginagawa mo ngayong umaga?What are you doing this morning?
- MarkNagbabasa lang ako ng libro.I am just reading a book.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “morning” translations and entries umaga, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries umaga, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
