Tagalog Grammar Lesson || Words With Prefix Ka And Suffix An

This episode is suited for Intermediate & Advanced learners in Tagalog. This will help you build your Tagalog vocabulary by understanding the meaning implied by prefix ka followed by a root word followed by suffix an. Words with prefix ka and suffix an are also called ka- -an words.

There are 3 Categories of Ka- -an Words:

1. Plurality

2. Reciprocity or collective activity

3. Use as an adjective or one’s status or attribute

Examples of Ka- -an words that imply plurality:

Kabukiran (farmland): root word is bukid

Kapuluán (archipelago): root word is pulô

Karunungan (wisdom): root word is runong/dunong

Kalangitán (heaven, outer space): root word is langit

Kagandahan (beauty): root word is gandá

Kayamanan (wealth): root word is yaman

Examples of Ka- -an words that imply reciprocity or collective activity:

Katawanan (person or persons you laugh with): root word is tawa

Sino ang katawanan mo sa telepono? (Who are you laughing with on the phone)

May katawanan sa labás ng bahay kanina. (There’s some laughter outside the house earlier)

Kahalikan (someone you kiss with): root word is halík

Sino iyóng kahalikan mo sa sinehán? (Who was your kissing partner in the theater)

Katawanan ko si Kelly habang nagtuturò akó ng Tagalog. (I’m laughing together with Kelly while I teach Tagalog)

Tumatawa akó sa telepono habang kausap ko si Kelly. (I’m laughing on the phone while I talk with Kelly)

Palagi kong kabiruán si Issa tuwíng nasa trabaho. (Issa is always my teasing partner at work)

As for the 3rd Category of Ka- -an words, we shall cover it on the future episode.