Indicative and Subjunctive in Tagalog

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Aug 06 2022, 5:59am CST ~ 1 year, 9 mos ago.

This is a question for all grammarians in this forum .... Phrases in Tagalog seem to be indicative only to me ... In other languages (e.g. Spanish) "indicativo" and "SUBJUNTIVO" play an important role ... (Spanish even has a SUBJUNTIVO2) ... any phrase in Spanish that is not real or a wish MUST use subjuntivo. English is not so strict about it ... but anyway ... what is the equivalent of the concept of subjunctive in Tagalog.

Dont say it's just "dapat" (should) ... to me the use of dapat is more like "must" and this is indicative ...

Maybe there is no easy answer to it .... just imagine you had to say something like "If I could, I would, if I should !" It's a piece of cake in Spanish ... but I cant think of an easy way how to accomplish that in Tagalog !

Aug 07 2022, 2:15am CST ~ 1 year, 9 mos ago.

@Jimmy329

Unlike Spanish where there are predetermined subjunctive verbs, there are none in Filipino. We can only express the subjunctive mood through the combined use of extra words, appropriate affixes, and context.

“Dapat” can mean "must" or "should” depending on the context.

Dapat Linggó ngayón kasí Sábado kahapon. = It must be Sunday today because it was Saturday yesterday.

Dapat gumising ka nang maaga bukas ng umaga. = You should wake up early tomorrow morning.

Disclaimer: I am not a grammarian. I am just doing my best to explain my language based on my understanding of it. Not complaining here, but believe me, it's not a walk in the park. 🙂😓☺️

Aug 07 2022, 2:27am CST ~ 1 year, 9 mos ago.

but I cant think of an easy way how to accomplish that in Tagalog !

@Jimmy329

In my opinion, you should stop looking for equivalents because Tagalog and Spanish/English are languagaes from different family branches and are bound to not have equivalents.

If we reverse the question, "what is the focus/trigger system equivalent in English". The answer is none. Because English grammar is very different from Tagalog

Aug 07 2022, 3:08am CST ~ 1 year, 9 mos ago.

Yes ... I understand that perfectly well ! The "mechanics" of these languages are totally different !

So the simple answer is: There is NO equivalent for the concept of indicative and subjunctive in Tagalog - we have to use constructs with "kung" ... "sana" ... and the like.

That's ok. I wish some grammar book would have state that as clear as that ! I just wanted to make sure, that I am not missing a major part of Tagalog grammar ... Thanks a lot for clearing up my world .... !

Kind regards
Jimmy

Aug 07 2022, 9:38am CST ~ 1 year, 9 mos ago.

I am curious which grammar book do you have because most grammar books today do not even list as Tagalog having that or use the "short nang" and "long ng"

Otherwise, you need to get a new grammar book

Aug 08 2022, 1:59am CST ~ 1 year, 9 mos ago.

c.f. for the other post "short NG contraction" please ...

have a nice day!
Jimmy

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