In Tagalog, the English word "know" translates to two main words: alam and kilala, each with distinct uses. Alam refers to knowing facts, information, or how to do something (knowledge), while kilala refers to knowing or being acquainted with people, places, or things (familiarity). This distinction, which doesn't exist in English, is crucial for proper communication in Tagalog.
FAQ Schema: Q: What does "know" mean in Tagalog? A: "Know" in Tagalog is expressed as either "alam" (for facts/information) or "kilala" (for people/places). The choice depends on what type of knowing you're expressing.
In this lesson, we'll explore both forms through 15 varied examples showing how these words function in different sentence positions and contexts. You'll see how Tagalog speakers distinguish between intellectual knowledge and personal acquaintance, a distinction that will enhance your understanding of Filipino thought patterns.
Educational Schema: Course: Tagalog for English Speakers Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Verbs of Knowledge (alam/kilala) Lesson Type: Reading comprehension with grammar analysis Learning Objective: Master the distinction between alam and kilala
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Tagalog has two words for "know": alam (facts) and kilala (people/places) -
Word order in Tagalog is more flexible than English -
The focus marker "ang" often precedes the subject -
Pronouns change form depending on their grammatical role -
Context determines which form of "know" to use
39.1 Alam know ko I ang the sagot answer sa to tanong question mo your
39.2 Hindi not niya he/she alam knows kung if saan where nakatira lives ang the guro teacher
39.3 Kilala know mo you ba [question marker] ang the bagong new estudyante student?
39.4 Ang the nanay mother ko my ay [is] kilala knows ang the lahat all ng of kapitbahay neighbors
39.5 Gusto want kong I malaman to-know ang the totoo truth
39.6 Alam knows ng of bata child ang the alpabeto alphabet na already
39.7 Sino who ang the kilala knows mo you sa in klase class?
39.8 Matagal long-time ko I nang already kilala know ang the pamilya family nila their
39.9 Kailangan need mong you malaman to-know ang the mga [plural] patakaran rules
39.10 Hindi not namin we alam know kung if bakit why siya he/she umalis left
39.11 Nakilala met/knew ko I siya him/her sa at isang a party party
39.12 Alam know ba [question marker] ninyo you-all ang the password password?
39.13 Ang the mga [plural] bata children ay [are] hindi not pa yet kilala know ang the kanilang their mga [plural] pinsan cousins
39.14 Nalalaman finding-out na now niya he/she ang the katotohanan truth
39.15 Dapat should nating we kilalanin get-to-know ang the ating our mga [plural] karapatan rights
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39.1 Alam ko ang sagot sa tanong mo. I know the answer to your question.
39.2 Hindi niya alam kung saan nakatira ang guro. He/she doesn't know where the teacher lives.
39.3 Kilala mo ba ang bagong estudyante? Do you know the new student?
39.4 Ang nanay ko ay kilala ang lahat ng kapitbahay. My mother knows all the neighbors.
39.5 Gusto kong malaman ang totoo. I want to know the truth.
39.6 Alam ng bata ang alpabeto na. The child already knows the alphabet.
39.7 Sino ang kilala mo sa klase? Who do you know in class?
39.8 Matagal ko nang kilala ang pamilya nila. I have known their family for a long time.
39.9 Kailangan mong malaman ang mga patakaran. You need to know the rules.
39.10 Hindi namin alam kung bakit siya umalis. We don't know why he/she left.
39.11 Nakilala ko siya sa isang party. I met/got to know him/her at a party.
39.12 Alam ba ninyo ang password? Do you all know the password?
39.13 Ang mga bata ay hindi pa kilala ang kanilang mga pinsan. The children don't know their cousins yet.
39.14 Nalalaman na niya ang katotohanan. He/she is finding out the truth now.
39.15 Dapat nating kilalanin ang ating mga karapatan. We should know our rights.
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39.1 Alam ko ang sagot sa tanong mo.
39.2 Hindi niya alam kung saan nakatira ang guro.
39.3 Kilala mo ba ang bagong estudyante?
39.4 Ang nanay ko ay kilala ang lahat ng kapitbahay.
39.5 Gusto kong malaman ang totoo.
39.6 Alam ng bata ang alpabeto na.
39.7 Sino ang kilala mo sa klase?
39.8 Matagal ko nang kilala ang pamilya nila.
39.9 Kailangan mong malaman ang mga patakaran.
39.10 Hindi namin alam kung bakit siya umalis.
39.11 Nakilala ko siya sa isang party.
39.12 Alam ba ninyo ang password?
39.13 Ang mga bata ay hindi pa kilala ang kanilang mga pinsan.
39.14 Nalalaman na niya ang katotohanan.
39.15 Dapat nating kilalanin ang ating mga karapatan.
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The distinction between alam and kilala is fundamental in Tagalog:
ALAM - Used for: -
Facts and information (Alam ko ang sagot - I know the answer) -
Skills and abilities (Alam niyang magluto - He/she knows how to cook) -
Abstract concepts (Alam ko ang katotohanan - I know the truth)
KILALA - Used for: -
People (Kilala ko siya - I know him/her) -
Places (Kilala mo ba ang Manila? - Do you know Manila?) -
Recognition (Kilala siya sa buong bayan - He/she is known throughout town)
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Using alam for people: Never say "Alam ko siya" (incorrect). Always use "Kilala ko siya" (I know him/her). -
Confusing word order: English speakers often place pronouns incorrectly. Remember: -
Alam + pronoun + object (Alam ko ang sagot) -
NOT: Ako alam ang sagot (incorrect) -
Forgetting aspect markers: Tagalog uses different forms to show ongoing or completed actions: -
malaman (to come to know) -
nalalaman (finding out/coming to know) -
nakilala (met/came to know someone) -
Misusing question particles: "Ba" comes after the first complete phrase: -
Alam mo ba? (Do you know?) -
NOT: Ba alam mo? (incorrect)
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Identify what you're knowing: -
Is it information? → Use ALAM -
Is it a person/place? → Use KILALA -
Choose your pronoun form: -
ko (I, as possessor/actor) -
mo (you, as possessor/actor) -
niya (he/she, as possessor/actor) -
Add aspect if needed: -
Simple: alam/kilala -
Infinitive: malaman/makilala -
Progressive: nalalaman/nakikilala -
Completed: nalaman/nakilala -
Position elements correctly: -
Verb + Actor pronoun + ang + Object -
Question word + ang + Verb + Actor + Object
ALAM Conjugation Pattern: -
Root: alam -
Infinitive: malaman (to know/find out) -
Progressive: nalalaman (is finding out) -
Completed: nalaman (found out/came to know) -
Imperative: alamin (know it!/find out!)
KILALA Conjugation Pattern: -
Root: kilala -
Infinitive: makilala (to meet/get to know) -
Progressive: nakikilala (is getting to know) -
Completed: nakilala (met/got to know) -
Imperative: kilalanin (get to know!)
Pronoun Forms as Actor: -
ako → ko (I) -
ikaw/ka → mo (you singular) -
siya → niya (he/she) -
kami → namin (we exclusive) -
tayo → natin (we inclusive) -
kayo → ninyo (you plural) -
sila → nila (they)
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Understanding the alam/kilala distinction reveals important aspects of Filipino culture. The separation between factual knowledge and personal acquaintance reflects the Filipino emphasis on personal relationships (kapwa). In Filipino society, knowing someone (kilala) implies more than mere recognition—it suggests a degree of personal connection and shared experience.
The phrase "kilala mo ba?" (do you know him/her?) often serves as a social bridge. Filipinos frequently establish connections through mutual acquaintances, reflecting the importance of social networks. When someone is described as "kilala" in a community, it implies they have established relationships and reputation.
The concept of "pakikikilala" (getting to know/introducing oneself) is central to Filipino social interaction. It's more extensive than Western introductions, often including family background, hometown, and mutual connections. This depth of "knowing" reflects the collective nature of Filipino society.
In educational contexts, "alam" is used, but teachers often emphasize "pag-unawa" (understanding) over mere knowledge. This reflects a cultural preference for wisdom over information, for applied knowledge over theoretical learning.
The phrase "hindi ko alam" (I don't know) is sometimes replaced with softer expressions like "parang..." (it seems...) or "siguro..." (maybe...), reflecting the Filipino tendency toward indirect communication and maintaining harmony by avoiding absolute statements.
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From "Banaag at Sikat" by Lope K. Santos (1906):
"Hindi niya alam kung ano ang dapat niyang gawin. Kilala niya ang mga tao sa paligid, ngunit hindi niya alam ang kanilang mga iniisip. Sa mundo ng mga manggagawa, ang pagkakilala ay hindi sapat; kailangan ding malaman ang kanilang mga paghihirap at pangarap."
Hindi not niya he alam know kung if/what ano what ang the dapat should niyang he gawin do. Kilala knows niya he ang the mga [plural] tao people sa in paligid surroundings, ngunit but hindi not niya he alam know ang the kanilang their mga [plural] iniisip thoughts. Sa in mundo world ng of mga [plural] manggagawa workers, ang the pagkakilala knowing/acquaintance ay is hindi not sapat enough; kailangan need ding also malaman to-know ang the kanilang their mga [plural] paghihirap sufferings at and pangarap dreams.
"Hindi niya alam kung ano ang dapat niyang gawin. Kilala niya ang mga tao sa paligid, ngunit hindi niya alam ang kanilang mga iniisip. Sa mundo ng mga manggagawa, ang pagkakilala ay hindi sapat; kailangan ding malaman ang kanilang mga paghihirap at pangarap."
He didn't know what he should do. He knew the people around him, but he didn't know their thoughts. In the world of workers, acquaintance is not enough; one must also know their sufferings and dreams.
This passage from one of the most important works of Tagalog literature demonstrates the crucial distinction between alam and kilala. Santos uses this distinction to highlight a social commentary: mere acquaintance (kilala) with people is insufficient for true understanding; one must know (alam) their inner lives, struggles, and aspirations.
The passage showcases several grammatical features: -
Hindi niya alam - negative construction with pronoun between negative and verb -
kung ano - indirect question formation -
dapat niyang gawin - modal construction with linked pronoun -
Kilala niya vs hindi niya alam - direct contrast of the two forms of "know" -
pagkakilala - nominalized form of kilala showing abstract concept -
malaman - infinitive form showing necessity with kailangan
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39.16 Alam know mo you ba [question marker] kung if anong what oras time na already?
39.17 Oo yes, kilala know ko I siya him/her, magkaklase classmates kami we noon before
39.18 Hindi not ko I alam know kung if saan where ko I inilagay placed ang the susi key ko my
39.19 Sino who sa among kanila them ang the kilala know mo you nang [particle] personal personally?
39.20 Dapat should mong you malaman know na that sarado closed ang the tindahan store tuwing every Linggo Sunday
39.21 Kilala known ka you ba [question marker] ng by may-ari owner ng of restaurant restaurant?
39.22 Alam know kong I-that mahirap difficult ang the sitwasyon situation, pero but kaya can natin we ito this
39.23 Matagal long mo you na already bang [question marker] kilala know ang the asawa spouse niya his/her?
39.24 Hindi not namin we alam know kung if paano how pumunta to-go sa to bahay house nila their
39.25 Nakilala met kita I-you sa at kaarawan birthday ni of Maria Maria last last year year
39.26 Alam know ng of lahat everyone na that masipag hardworking ka you
39.27 Gusto want kong I makilala to-meet ang the mga [plural] magulang parents mo your
39.28 Hindi not pa yet niya he/she alam knows ang the balita news tungkol about sa the promosyon promotion
39.29 Kilala knows mo you ba [question marker] ang the bagong new doktor doctor sa in clinic clinic?
39.30 Nalaman found-out ko I lang just kahapon yesterday na that magpipinsan cousins pala apparently kayo you-all
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39.16 Alam mo ba kung anong oras na? Do you know what time it is?
39.17 Oo, kilala ko siya, magkaklase kami noon. Yes, I know him/her, we were classmates before.
39.18 Hindi ko alam kung saan ko inilagay ang susi ko. I don't know where I put my key.
39.19 Sino sa kanila ang kilala mo nang personal? Who among them do you know personally?
39.20 Dapat mong malaman na sarado ang tindahan tuwing Linggo. You should know that the store is closed every Sunday.
39.21 Kilala ka ba ng may-ari ng restaurant? Does the restaurant owner know you?
39.22 Alam kong mahirap ang sitwasyon, pero kaya natin ito. I know the situation is difficult, but we can do this.
39.23 Matagal mo na bang kilala ang asawa niya? Have you known his/her spouse for a long time?
39.24 Hindi namin alam kung paano pumunta sa bahay nila. We don't know how to get to their house.
39.25 Nakilala kita sa kaarawan ni Maria last year. I met you at Maria's birthday last year.
39.26 Alam ng lahat na masipag ka. Everyone knows that you're hardworking.
39.27 Gusto kong makilala ang mga magulang mo. I want to meet your parents.
39.28 Hindi pa niya alam ang balita tungkol sa promosyon. He/she doesn't know the news about the promotion yet.
39.29 Kilala mo ba ang bagong doktor sa clinic? Do you know the new doctor at the clinic?
39.30 Nalaman ko lang kahapon na magpipinsan pala kayo. I just found out yesterday that you're cousins.
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39.16 Alam mo ba kung anong oras na?
39.17 Oo, kilala ko siya, magkaklase kami noon.
39.18 Hindi ko alam kung saan ko inilagay ang susi ko.
39.19 Sino sa kanila ang kilala mo nang personal?
39.20 Dapat mong malaman na sarado ang tindahan tuwing Linggo.
39.21 Kilala ka ba ng may-ari ng restaurant?
39.22 Alam kong mahirap ang sitwasyon, pero kaya natin ito.
39.23 Matagal mo na bang kilala ang asawa niya?
39.24 Hindi namin alam kung paano pumunta sa bahay nila.
39.25 Nakilala kita sa kaarawan ni Maria last year.
39.26 Alam ng lahat na masipag ka.
39.27 Gusto kong makilala ang mga magulang mo.
39.28 Hindi pa niya alam ang balita tungkol sa promosyon.
39.29 Kilala mo ba ang bagong doktor sa clinic?
39.30 Nalaman ko lang kahapon na magpipinsan pala kayo.
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In daily Tagalog conversations, "alam" and "kilala" appear in specific patterns:
Question Formation: -
Alam mo ba...? (Do you know...? - for information) -
Kilala mo ba...? (Do you know...? - for people) -
Sino ang kilala mo? (Who do you know?) -
Ano ang alam mo? (What do you know?)
Time Expressions with Knowledge Verbs: -
Matagal ko nang kilala (I've known for a long time) -
Nalaman ko lang (I just found out) -
Hindi pa alam (doesn't know yet) -
Nakilala ko noon (I met/knew before)
Common Conversational Combinations: -
Alam mo ba kung... (Do you know if/whether...) -
Hindi ko alam kung saan/paano/bakit (I don't know where/how/why) -
Gusto kong malaman/makilala (I want to know/meet) -
Dapat mong malaman (You should know)
Pronoun Combinations in Speech: -
kong = ko + na/ng (I + linker) -
mong = mo + na/ng (you + linker) -
niyang = niya + na/ng (he/she + linker) -
kita = ko + ikaw (I + you, special combined form)
Particles in Conversational Context: -
"ba" - question marker, creates yes/no questions -
"na" - already/now, adds temporal context -
"pa" - still/yet, indicates continuation -
"lang" - just/only, minimizes or specifies -
"pala" - apparently/turns out, shows realization
Word Order Flexibility in Conversation: Unlike English, Tagalog allows flexible word order for emphasis: -
Kilala mo siya? (Do you know him/her?) - neutral -
Siya, kilala mo? (Him/her, do you know?) - emphasis on person -
Ikaw ba ang kilala niya? (Are you the one he/she knows?) - emphasis on "you"
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Granular word-by-word analysis in Section A for complete beginners -
Natural language examples progressing from simple to complex -
Cultural context essential for true linguistic competence -
Authentic literary excerpts with detailed analysis -
Genre-specific sections for practical application
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