Grammar
In English we often add tag-questions to the end of sentences, for example, the isn’t it? in That’s Mary, isn’t it? This is also very common in Tagalog, so let’s see how this is done.
Hindi ba/di ba with positive statements
With positive statements, just add hindi ba/di ba to the end. We will always use hindi ba to be consistent.
Pos Statement: Guro si Joe.
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= Joe is a teacher.
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Add tag-question: Guro si Joe, hindi ba?
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= Joe is a teacher, isn’t he?
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Agreeing ans: Oo, guro si Joe.
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= Yes, Joe is a teacher.
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Disagreeing ans: Hindi, hindi guro si Joe.
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= No, Joe isn’t a teacher.
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It turns out that you can add hindi ba to the beginning of a sentence and it’s still considered to be a tag-sentence in Tagalog.
Ex: Hindi ba guro si Joe?
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= Isn’t Joe a teacher?
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Ano with negative statements
With negative statements, just add ano/no to the end. We will always use ano to be consistent.
Neg Statement: Hindi guro si Joe.
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= Joe isn’t a teacher.
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Adding tag-question: Hindi guro si Joe, ano?
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= Joe isn’t a teacher, is he?
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Agreeing ans: Oo, hindi guro si Joe.
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= Yes, Joe isn’t a teacher.
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Disagreeing ans: Hindi, guro si Joe.
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= No, Joe is a teacher.
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Unlike hindi ba, you can’t add ano to the beginning of sentences to make tag-questions.
Note Summary
positive statement tag-question word order is <positive statement, hindi ba> or <hindi ba, positive statement>.
negative statement tag-question word order is <negative statement, ano>
use hindi as the enclitic magnate when it comes before a statement (more on this later)
native speakers will often interchange hindi ba and ano
Sample Sentences
Q1
Mario is the president, isn't he?
Si Mario ang presidente, hindi ba?
Q2
They aren't students, are they?
Hindi sila estudyante, ano?
Q3
The water isn't hot, is it?
Hindi mainit ang tubig, ano?
Q4
The drink is green, isn't it?
Berde ang inumin, hindi ba?
Q5
Beth doesn't like hospitals, does she? (po)
Hindi po mahilig si Beth sa ospital, ano?
Q6
She's speaking, isn't she?
Nagsasalita siya, hindi ba?
Q7
Hugo wants the house, doesn't he?
Gusto ni Hugo ang bahay, hindi ba?
Q8
The teacher's not mad, is she?
Hindi galit ang guro, ano?
Q9
She will not cook adobo, will she?
Hindi siya magluluto ng adobo, ano?
Q10
The building is a hospital, isn't it?
Ang ospital ang gusali, hindi ba?