Skip to content

ngunit

ngúnit with stress marks

yet or but (modern form)

conjunction NGU-nit Native origin Common

Usage Note

Ngunit is the standard modern Tagalog conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however'. It is more formal than 'pero' (borrowed from Spanish) and is preferred in written language, news media, and official communications. It is often taught first to learners of Filipino as the native alternative to 'pero'.

Examples

Beginner

" Pagod ako, ngunit masaya. "

Natural Translation

I'm tired, but happy.

Literal Translation

Tired I, but happy.

Intermediate

" Gusto ko siyang tulungan, ngunit wala akong kakayahan. "

Natural Translation

I want to help him/her, but I have no ability.

Literal Translation

Want I him/her help, but none I ability.

Advanced

" Sinubukan kong tapusin ang proyekto nang mag-isa, ngunit napagtanto kong kailangan ko rin ng tulong mula sa iba. "

Natural Translation

I tried to finish the project alone, but I realized I also needed help from others.

Literal Translation

Tried I to-finish the project as-one, but realized I that need I also of help from others.

Free · iOS & Android

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 work

Explore Tagalog by topic

Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.