The Tagalog word tungkol corresponds to the English preposition "about" and is used to indicate the subject or topic of discussion, thought, or concern. Like its English counterpart, tungkol introduces what something relates to or concerns. In Tagalog, tungkol can stand alone or combine with the preposition "sa" to form "tungkol sa," which is the more common construction in modern usage.
Tungkol (pronounced: toong-KOL) is a Tagalog word that functions as a preposition meaning "about," "concerning," or "regarding." It introduces the topic or subject matter of a statement, question, or discussion. The word derives from Old Tagalog and remains one of the most frequently used prepositions in contemporary Filipino discourse.
Question: What does "tungkol" mean in Tagalog? Answer: Tungkol means "about," "concerning," or "regarding" in Tagalog. It is used to introduce the topic or subject of discussion, similar to how "about" is used in English.
In this lesson, you will encounter tungkol in various contexts and sentence positions. The examples demonstrate its use with different verb forms, in questions and statements, and in both formal and informal registers. You'll see how tungkol typically combines with "sa" and how it connects ideas within complex sentences.
Subject: Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Language Pair: English to Tagalog Focus: Preposition Usage Lesson Type: Self-Study Reading Material Topic Word: tungkol (about)
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Tungkol means "about" or "concerning" in Tagalog -
It usually appears as "tungkol sa" in modern usage -
The word order in Tagalog sentences with tungkol differs from English -
Tungkol can introduce topics in statements, questions, and complex sentences -
Understanding tungkol is essential for expressing thoughts about subjects and topics in Tagalog
45.1 Ang the libro book ay is tungkol about sa to kasaysayan history ng of Pilipinas Philippines
45.2 Nagtanong asked siya he/she tungkol about sa to aking my trabaho work
45.3 Tungkol about saan what ang the pelikula movie na that iyon that?
45.4 Nag-uusap talking kami we tungkol about sa to bagong new proyekto project
45.5 Walang nothing nakakaalam knows tungkol about sa to nangyari happened
45.6 Ang the balita news tungkol about sa to bagyo typhoon ay is nakakatakot frightening
45.7 Sumulat wrote ako I ng of tula poem tungkol about sa to pag-ibig love
45.8 Ano what ang the alam know mo you tungkol about dito here?
45.9 Ang the kanyang his/her pangarap dream ay is tungkol about sa to paglalakbay traveling
45.10 Nagbasa read sila they ng of artikulo article tungkol about sa to kalusugan health
45.11 Hindi not siya he/she nagsasalita speaks tungkol about sa to kanyang his/her nakaraan past
45.12 Ang the kwento story ng of lola grandmother ay is palaging always tungkol about sa to digmaan war
45.13 May have tanong question ka you ba (question marker) tungkol about sa to aralin lesson?
45.14 Naririnig hearing ko I ang the mga (plural) tsismis gossip tungkol about sa to kanila them
45.15 Tungkol about sa to usapan discussion natin our kahapon yesterday, tama correct ka you
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45.1 Ang libro ay tungkol sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. The book is about the history of the Philippines.
45.2 Nagtanong siya tungkol sa aking trabaho. He/she asked about my work.
45.3 Tungkol saan ang pelikulang iyon? What is that movie about?
45.4 Nag-uusap kami tungkol sa bagong proyekto. We are talking about the new project.
45.5 Walang nakakaalam tungkol sa nangyari. Nobody knows about what happened.
45.6 Ang balita tungkol sa bagyo ay nakakatakot. The news about the typhoon is frightening.
45.7 Sumulat ako ng tula tungkol sa pag-ibig. I wrote a poem about love.
45.8 Ano ang alam mo tungkol dito? What do you know about this?
45.9 Ang kanyang pangarap ay tungkol sa paglalakbay. His/her dream is about traveling.
45.10 Nagbasa sila ng artikulo tungkol sa kalusugan. They read an article about health.
45.11 Hindi siya nagsasalita tungkol sa kanyang nakaraan. He/she doesn't speak about his/her past.
45.12 Ang kwento ng lola ay palaging tungkol sa digmaan. Grandmother's stories are always about the war.
45.13 May tanong ka ba tungkol sa aralin? Do you have a question about the lesson?
45.14 Naririnig ko ang mga tsismis tungkol sa kanila. I hear the gossip about them.
45.15 Tungkol sa usapan natin kahapon, tama ka. About our discussion yesterday, you are correct.
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45.1 Ang libro ay tungkol sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas.
45.2 Nagtanong siya tungkol sa aking trabaho.
45.3 Tungkol saan ang pelikulang iyon?
45.4 Nag-uusap kami tungkol sa bagong proyekto.
45.5 Walang nakakaalam tungkol sa nangyari.
45.6 Ang balita tungkol sa bagyo ay nakakatakot.
45.7 Sumulat ako ng tula tungkol sa pag-ibig.
45.8 Ano ang alam mo tungkol dito?
45.9 Ang kanyang pangarap ay tungkol sa paglalakbay.
45.10 Nagbasa sila ng artikulo tungkol sa kalusugan.
45.11 Hindi siya nagsasalita tungkol sa kanyang nakaraan.
45.12 Ang kwento ng lola ay palaging tungkol sa digmaan.
45.13 May tanong ka ba tungkol sa aralin?
45.14 Naririnig ko ang mga tsismis tungkol sa kanila.
45.15 Tungkol sa usapan natin kahapon, tama ka.
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The preposition tungkol functions as the primary way to express "about" or "concerning" in Tagalog. Unlike English, where "about" directly precedes its object, tungkol in modern Tagalog typically requires the linking word "sa" before the object it refers to.
The standard construction is: tungkol sa + object
This differs from older or more formal Tagalog where tungkol could sometimes stand alone. In contemporary usage, the "tungkol sa" combination has become the norm, making it a compound preposition similar to English phrases like "with regard to" or "in relation to."
Tungkol can appear in different positions within a sentence: -
After the verb: Nagtanong siya tungkol sa... (He asked about...) -
At the beginning for emphasis: Tungkol sa..., [statement] (About..., [statement]) -
Within noun phrases: Ang balita tungkol sa... (The news about...) -
In questions: Tungkol saan...? (About what...?)
Mistake 1: Using tungkol without "sa" Incorrect: Nagtanong siya tungkol trabaho. Correct: Nagtanong siya tungkol sa trabaho.
Mistake 2: Direct translation of English word order Incorrect: Tungkol ang libro sa kasaysayan. Correct: Ang libro ay tungkol sa kasaysayan.
Mistake 3: Confusing tungkol with ukol Note: "Ukol" is a more formal synonym that also means "about" or "for," often used in written texts. Tungkol is more common in everyday speech.
Mistake 4: Overusing tungkol where other constructions would be more natural Sometimes Tagalog uses different constructions where English would use "about": -
"Think about" = isipin (not *mag-isip tungkol sa) -
"Care about" = mahalaga sa (not *tungkol sa)
English "about" is more versatile than Tagalog tungkol. English uses "about" for: -
Topics: "a book about history" = "libro tungkol sa kasaysayan" ✓ -
Approximation: "about five people" = "mga limang tao" (not tungkol) -
Movement: "walking about" = "naglalakad-lakad" (not tungkol)
Tagalog tungkol is specifically limited to expressing topics and subjects of discussion.
Step 1: Identify what you're discussing the topic OF Step 2: Place "tungkol sa" before that topic Step 3: Position the phrase according to sentence focus: -
For neutral statements: after the main verb -
For emphasis on the topic: at the beginning -
For descriptions: after the noun being described
Tungkol functions as: -
A preposition requiring "sa" as a linker -
An introducer of topics and subjects -
A connector in complex sentences -
A question word component (Tungkol saan = About what)
Forms: -
tungkol sa + noun -
tungkol sa + pronoun -
tungkol dito/diyan/doon (about this/that/that over there) -
tungkol saan (about what - in questions)
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The use of tungkol in Tagalog reflects important aspects of Filipino communication culture. Filipinos often approach topics indirectly, and tungkol phrases frequently introduce subjects delicately, especially sensitive ones. The phrase "tungkol sa..." can serve as a conversational buffer, similar to how English speakers might say "regarding..." or "as for..." to ease into a topic.
In Filipino discourse, discussions about people (tungkol sa kanya) are often preceded by careful consideration of pakikipagkapwa (shared identity) and hiya (shame/propriety). When Filipinos say "May sasabihin ako tungkol sa..." (I have something to say about...), it often signals that an important or delicate matter will be discussed.
The word tungkol also appears frequently in Filipino media, education, and formal settings. News broadcasts regularly use "balita tungkol sa" (news about), and academic discussions employ "pag-aaral tungkol sa" (studies about). This formal register of tungkol contrasts with more casual conversation where the topic might be implied rather than explicitly stated with tungkol.
Understanding tungkol also means recognizing when Filipinos avoid directness. Instead of asking directly "Tungkol saan?" (About what?), Filipinos might use more indirect phrases to show respect or maintain harmony. This cultural tendency toward indirect communication makes mastering tungkol and its various uses essential for meaningful interaction in Tagalog.
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From "Banaag at Sikat" (1906) by Lope K. Santos, Chapter 1
Ang the kanilang their pag-uusap conversation ay was tungkol about sa to kalagayan condition ng of mga (plural) manggagawa workers sa in Pilipinas Philippines. Sinabi said ni by Delfin Delfin na that ang the mga (plural) mahihirap poor ay are laging always nagsusumikap striving ngunit but hindi not nakakamit achieving ang the hustisya justice. Ang the lahat all ng of kanilang their hinaing complaints ay are tungkol about sa to kawalan lack ng of pagkakapantay-pantay equality.
Ang kanilang pag-uusap ay tungkol sa kalagayan ng mga manggagawa sa Pilipinas. Sinabi ni Delfin na ang mga mahihirap ay laging nagsusumikap ngunit hindi nakakamit ang hustisya. Ang lahat ng kanilang hinaing ay tungkol sa kawalan ng pagkakapantay-pantay.
Their conversation was about the condition of workers in the Philippines. Delfin said that the poor are always striving but do not achieve justice. All of their complaints are about the lack of equality.
Ang kanilang pag-uusap ay tungkol sa kalagayan ng mga manggagawa sa Pilipinas. Sinabi ni Delfin na ang mga mahihirap ay laging nagsusumikap ngunit hindi nakakamit ang hustisya. Ang lahat ng kanilang hinaing ay tungkol sa kawalan ng pagkakapantay-pantay.
This passage from Lope K. Santos' groundbreaking social realist novel demonstrates the use of tungkol in serious discourse about social issues. The word appears twice, first introducing the general topic of conversation (tungkol sa kalagayan) and then specifying the nature of complaints (tungkol sa kawalan).
The construction "pag-uusap ay tungkol sa" shows the typical Tagalog sentence structure with the ay inversion marker, placing the topic (pag-uusap) before the comment (tungkol sa kalagayan). This differs from English where we would say "conversation about" with "about" immediately following the noun.
Santos employs tungkol to frame social commentary, a common usage in Filipino literature where tungkol introduces themes of justice, inequality, and social conditions. The repetition of tungkol in this short passage emphasizes the focused nature of the discussion - everything centers on (tungkol sa) the workers' plight.
For English speakers, note how tungkol sa creates a formal register appropriate for discussing serious topics, similar to how "concerning" or "regarding" sounds more formal than "about" in English. This literary usage of tungkol remains standard in contemporary Filipino academic and journalistic writing.
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45.16 Doktor doctor, may have tanong question ako I tungkol about sa to aking my sintomas symptoms ngayong this linggo week
45.17 Ang the sakit pain ng of ulo head ko my ay is madalas frequent at and ito this ay is tungkol about sa to tatlong three araw days na already
45.18 Nag-aalala worrying ang the pamilya family ko my tungkol about sa to aking my biglaang sudden pagbaba loss ng of timbang weight
45.19 Ano what po (respect) ang the masasabi can-say ninyo you tungkol about sa to resulta results ng of blood blood test test?
45.20 Ang the gamot medicine na that ito this ay is tungkol about sa to pagkontrol controlling ng of presyon pressure ng of dugo blood
45.21 Kailangan need nating we pag-usapan discuss tungkol about sa to inyong your medical medical history history ng of pamilya family
45.22 Ang the nurse nurse ay is nagpaliwanag explained tungkol about sa to tamang correct pag-inom taking ng of antibiotics antibiotics
45.23 May have brochure brochure kami we tungkol about sa to diabetes diabetes prevention prevention na that maaari can ninyong you basahin read
45.24 Ang the mga (plural) katanungan questions ng of pasyente patient ay is tungkol about sa to side side effects effects ng of therapy therapy
45.25 Hindi not siya he/she sigurado sure tungkol about sa to mga (plural) detalye details ng of kanyang his/her insurance insurance coverage coverage
45.26 Ang the seminar seminar bukas tomorrow ay is tungkol about sa to mental mental health health awareness awareness
45.27 Nagtanong asked ang the matanda elderly tungkol about sa to alternatibong alternative lunas remedy para for sa to arthritis arthritis
45.28 Ang the lahat all ng of impormasyon information tungkol about sa to bakuna vaccine ay is nasa in website website namin our
45.29 Gusto want kong I malaman know ang the totoo truth tungkol about sa to aking my kondisyon condition
45.30 Ang the physical physical therapy therapy sessions sessions ay are magiging will-be tungkol about sa to pagpapalakas strengthening ng of kalamnan muscles
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45.16 Doktor, may tanong ako tungkol sa aking sintomas ngayong linggo. Doctor, I have a question about my symptoms this week.
45.17 Ang sakit ng ulo ko ay madalas at ito ay tungkol sa tatlong araw na. My headaches are frequent and this has been for about three days already.
45.18 Nag-aalala ang pamilya ko tungkol sa aking biglaang pagbaba ng timbang. My family is worried about my sudden weight loss.
45.19 Ano po ang masasabi ninyo tungkol sa resulta ng blood test? What can you say about the blood test results?
45.20 Ang gamot na ito ay tungkol sa pagkontrol ng presyon ng dugo. This medicine is about controlling blood pressure.
45.21 Kailangan nating pag-usapan tungkol sa inyong medical history ng pamilya. We need to discuss about your family medical history.
45.22 Ang nurse ay nagpaliwanag tungkol sa tamang pag-inom ng antibiotics. The nurse explained about the proper taking of antibiotics.
45.23 May brochure kami tungkol sa diabetes prevention na maaari ninyong basahin. We have a brochure about diabetes prevention that you can read.
45.24 Ang mga katanungan ng pasyente ay tungkol sa side effects ng therapy. The patient's questions are about the side effects of therapy.
45.25 Hindi siya sigurado tungkol sa mga detalye ng kanyang insurance coverage. He/she is not sure about the details of his/her insurance coverage.
45.26 Ang seminar bukas ay tungkol sa mental health awareness. Tomorrow's seminar is about mental health awareness.
45.27 Nagtanong ang matanda tungkol sa alternatibong lunas para sa arthritis. The elderly person asked about alternative remedies for arthritis.
45.28 Ang lahat ng impormasyon tungkol sa bakuna ay nasa website namin. All information about the vaccine is on our website.
45.29 Gusto kong malaman ang totoo tungkol sa aking kondisyon. I want to know the truth about my condition.
45.30 Ang physical therapy sessions ay magiging tungkol sa pagpapalakas ng kalamnan. The physical therapy sessions will be about strengthening muscles.
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45.16 Doktor, may tanong ako tungkol sa aking sintomas ngayong linggo.
45.17 Ang sakit ng ulo ko ay madalas at ito ay tungkol sa tatlong araw na.
45.18 Nag-aalala ang pamilya ko tungkol sa aking biglaang pagbaba ng timbang.
45.19 Ano po ang masasabi ninyo tungkol sa resulta ng blood test?
45.20 Ang gamot na ito ay tungkol sa pagkontrol ng presyon ng dugo.
45.21 Kailangan nating pag-usapan tungkol sa inyong medical history ng pamilya.
45.22 Ang nurse ay nagpaliwanag tungkol sa tamang pag-inom ng antibiotics.
45.23 May brochure kami tungkol sa diabetes prevention na maaari ninyong basahin.
45.24 Ang mga katanungan ng pasyente ay tungkol sa side effects ng therapy.
45.25 Hindi siya sigurado tungkol sa mga detalye ng kanyang insurance coverage.
45.26 Ang seminar bukas ay tungkol sa mental health awareness.
45.27 Nagtanong ang matanda tungkol sa alternatibong lunas para sa arthritis.
45.28 Ang lahat ng impormasyon tungkol sa bakuna ay nasa website namin.
45.29 Gusto kong malaman ang totoo tungkol sa aking kondisyon.
45.30 Ang physical therapy sessions ay magiging tungkol sa pagpapalakas ng kalamnan.
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In medical consultations, tungkol serves several important functions that English speakers should understand:
The phrase "nag-aalala tungkol sa" (worried about) is standard in medical Tagalog. This construction parallels English directly, making it easier for English speakers to master. Note that Filipinos often use this to express health concerns indirectly, maintaining the cultural value of not appearing overly direct about personal matters.
Notice in example 45.17 how tungkol can indicate approximate duration: "tungkol sa tatlong araw na" (for about three days). This usage differs from the standard topic-marking function and shows tungkol's versatility in medical contexts where precise timing may be uncertain.
Medical professionals use tungkol to maintain formal distance while discussing sensitive topics. The construction "tungkol sa inyong medical history" uses the formal "inyo" pronoun plus tungkol to create professional rapport without being too personal.
Tungkol frequently introduces educational content in medical settings: "brochure tungkol sa diabetes prevention." This mirrors English usage but note that Tagalog often requires the full "tungkol sa" even where English might just use "on" or "about."
Medical Tagalog often includes English medical terms within Tagalog grammatical structures. Notice "tungkol sa side effects" where the English term is embedded within the Tagalog prepositional phrase. This is standard in Philippine medical discourse and shouldn't be avoided.
Medical inquiries using tungkol follow specific patterns: -
Direct questions: "Ano... tungkol sa...?" (What... about...?) -
Indirect concerns: "May tanong ako tungkol sa..." (I have a question about...) -
Clarifications: "Tungkol ba ito sa...?" (Is this about...?)
These patterns help maintain the respectful, indirect communication style preferred in Filipino medical consultations while ensuring clear information exchange.
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This lesson is part of a comprehensive language learning series designed specifically for autodidacts seeking to master new languages through careful, methodical reading. The approach, developed by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), draws on classical language pedagogy and modern comprehension techniques that have been refined since 2006 through the Latinum Institute.
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The systematic presentation across sections A through F provides multiple exposures to the same material in different formats. This repetition with variation—a key principle in language acquisition—helps cement both vocabulary and grammatical patterns. The literary citations and genre sections provide authentic language in context, moving beyond textbook examples to real-world usage.
Self-directed learners benefit from the complete, untruncated nature of these lessons. Every example is written out in full, eliminating the frustration of incomplete materials. The consistent structure across lessons creates a predictable learning environment where students can focus on language acquisition rather than navigating varying formats.
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Method explanation: https://latinum.substack.com/p/method -
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Evan der Millner has been creating innovative online language learning materials since 2006, bringing classical pedagogical techniques to modern digital platforms. His work through the Latinum Institute has helped thousands of autodidacts successfully acquire new languages through systematic, self-paced study.
Latinum Institute materials curated by Evan der Millner can be found at: -
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