From root: dati
Usage Note
Dati-rati emphasizes a state that existed in the past but has definitely changed now. Dati-rati ay dito kami nakatira means we used to live here before.
Examples
" Dati-rati ay malapit kami. "
Natural Translation
We used to be close.
Literal Translation
Formerly (,) close we.
" Dati-rati ay magkaibigan sila. "
Natural Translation
Formerly, they were friends.
Literal Translation
Formerly (,) friends they.
" Dati-rati ay tahimik ang lugar na ito, ngunit ngayon ay puno na ito ng mga gusali at sasakyan. "
Natural Translation
This place used to be quiet, but now it is full of buildings and vehicles.
Literal Translation
Formerly (,) quiet the place this, but now (,) full already it of buildings and vehicles.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workWord family
dati has 2 related forms built from the same root.
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.

Is Tagalog Hard to Learn? An Honest Answer
Tagalog takes around 1,100 hours to reach professional proficiency. Here is what is easy, what is hard, and what to expect at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Filipino Family Words and Honorifics: Ate, Kuya & Tita
Filipino family words like ate, kuya, tita, tito, lolo, and lola go far beyond family — learn how Filipinos use them with strangers, plus mano po etiquette.

May vs Mayroon vs Meron: Have & There Is
May vs mayroon in Tagalog finally made simple: one rule decides which to use, plus how meron and wala fit the same have and there-is family.

Tagalog Verb Focus System Explained (It's Not Active vs. Passive)
The Tagalog verb focus system isn't active vs. passive. Learn actor focus, object focus, and more with clear examples that finally make it click.