Usage Note
Karta is a Spanish loanword carrying multiple meanings depending on context: a playing card's value, a legal charter or document, or a navigational map. The specific sense is usually clear from context, reflecting the breadth of the Spanish source word carta.
Examples
" Nasa museo ang lumang karta. "
Natural Translation
The old map is in the museum.
Literal Translation
At-the museum the old map.
" Ang karta ng Pilipinas ay makikita sa museo. "
Natural Translation
The map of the Philippines can be seen at the museum.
Literal Translation
The map of-the Philippines can-be-seen at-the museum.
" Sa loob ng aklatan ay nakadispley ang isang sinaunang karta na nagpapakita kung paano nila iginuhit ang mga isla noong panahon ng paglalayag. "
Natural Translation
Inside the library is displayed an ancient map that shows how they drew the islands during the age of seafaring.
Literal Translation
In inside of-the library is displayed the one ancient map that shows how they drew the islands during time of seafaring.
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.
Na vs -ng in Tagalog: The Linker Rule Made Simple
When do you use na vs -ng in Tagalog? One simple rule, with clear examples, memory tips, and common mistakes explained for English-speaking beginners.
Po and Opo in Tagalog: Where to Put Them Right
Po and opo confuse learners — but placement follows one rule. Where po goes in a sentence, why it's opo not 'oo po', and the pronoun shift to learn.
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 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.