Breakdown of Magalang ang babae sa palengke.
ay
to be
magalang
polite
sa
at
palengke
the market
babae
the woman
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Questions & Answers about Magalang ang babae sa palengke.
What does each word do in this sentence?
- Magalang: adjective meaning “polite/respectful”; it is the predicate.
- ang: topic marker for a specific singular common noun.
- babae: “woman,” the topic/subject.
- sa: preposition “at/in.”
- palengke: “market” (often a traditional wet market). Overall order is predicate → topic → location.
Where is the English “is”?
Tagalog usually has no copula. An adjective can serve as the predicate by itself: Magalang ang babae... If you want an “is”-like structure, you can use inversion with ay: Ang babae ay magalang (more formal).
Why does the adjective come first?
Tagalog is typically predicate-initial. Qualities, locations, and quantities come before the ang-marked topic: Magalang ang babae...
Does sa palengke describe the woman or where she is polite?
It’s often read as modifying the noun (the woman who is at the market) because sa palengke immediately follows babae: “the woman at the market is polite.” To force “polite at the market,” front the location: Sa palengke, magalang ang babae. To make “the woman who is at the market” explicit: Magalang ang babaeng nasa palengke or Magalang ang babae na nasa palengke.
Can I say Ang babae ay magalang sa palengke?
Yes. Using ay flips it to subject–predicate order. It sounds more formal or written; everyday speech prefers predicate-first.
Why ang and not si?
ang is for specific common nouns (ang babae). si is only for personal names (Si Maria). Colloquially, yung/iyong can substitute for ang: yung babae.
Why isn’t there another marker before palengke?
Because sa already marks the oblique/location. You don’t say sa ang palengke. For plural locations: sa mga palengke (“at the markets”).
What’s the difference between sa palengke and nasa palengke?
- sa palengke: a general locative phrase; often modifies a noun (ang babae sa palengke).
- nasa palengke: a locative predicate meaning “is at the market” (Nasa palengke ang babae).
How do I say “The polite woman is at the market”?
- Predicate-first: Nasa palengke ang magalang na babae.
- With inversion: Ang magalang na babae ay nasa palengke.
How do I say “polite woman” (attributive adjective)?
Use the linker na/ng between adjective and noun:
- magalang na babae Or put the noun first with the linker attached: babaeng magalang.
How do I make it plural?
Add mga to the noun:
- Magalang ang mga babae sa palengke. Optional adjective agreement (common and natural): Magagalang ang mga babae sa palengke.
How do I negate it?
Put hindi before the predicate:
- Hindi magalang ang babae sa palengke.
How is magalang pronounced?
Penultimate stress: ma-GA-lang. Final ng is the velar nasal [ŋ], like the “ng” in “singer.”
Is magalang the same as mabait?
Not quite.
- magalang = polite/respectful (shows respect in speech/behavior).
- mabait = kind/good-natured. They can be combined: Magalang at mabait ang babae sa palengke.
Can I use merkado instead of palengke?
Yes. Merkado (Spanish-derived) is widely understood; palengke often implies a traditional wet market. Example: Magalang ang babae sa merkado.
How would I ask about it?
- “Who is polite at the market?” → Sino ang magalang sa palengke?
- “Which woman at the market is polite?” → Aling babae sa palengke ang magalang?
Can I front the location for emphasis?
Yes: Sa palengke, magalang ang babae. This often clarifies that the politeness is in that setting.