gaano
gaáno with stress marks
how much (quantity/degree)
Usage Note
Gaano asks about degree or extent and pairs with the ka- prefix to form questions like gaano kalayo (how far) or gaano katagal (how long). Use magkano instead when asking about price, since gaano focuses strictly on quantity and intensity rather than monetary value.
Examples
" Gaano kalaki ang bahay nila? "
Natural Translation
How big is their house?
Literal Translation
How-much big the house their?
" Gaano kalayo ang bahay mo? "
Natural Translation
How far is your house?
Literal Translation
How much (in terms of) distance the house your?
" Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal pa tayo maghihintay bago dumating ang tren. "
Natural Translation
I don't know how much longer we'll wait before the train arrives.
Literal Translation
Not I know if how-much long still we will-wait before arrive the train.
Take Tagalog with you
The full course, a 12,500-word dictionary, and flashcards that make every word stick — free to start on iOS and Android.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workRelated Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Magkano: How to Ask "How Much" in Tagalog
Magkano means how much in Tagalog. Learn to ask a price, tell it apart from ilan and gaano, sound polite with po, and haggle at the palengke.
Tagalog Question Words: Ano, Sino, Saan & More
Tagalog question words like ano, sino, and saan need the right frame to work. Learn the ang-vs-pronoun rule, confusable pairs, and the ba particle with audio.
Tagalog Affixes Explained: A Beginner's Guide to Word Building
Tagalog affixes turn one root word into dozens of meanings. Learn prefixes, infixes, suffixes, and circumfixes with clear examples for beginners.
Tagalog Pronouns Explained: Complete Chart with Examples
Every Tagalog pronoun explained with clear charts: ang/ng/sa forms, tayo vs kami, ikaw vs ka, politeness markers, and the mistakes beginners make.