From root: tagal
Usage Note
Katagal is frequently used in questions about duration or in exclamations about how long something is taking.
Examples
" Ang katagal ng biyahe! "
Natural Translation
The trip is taking so long!
Literal Translation
The how-long of-the trip!
" Hindi ko alam ang katagal. "
Natural Translation
I don't know the duration extent.
Literal Translation
Not I know the duration-extent.
" Nagulat ako sa katagal ng pila, kaya umuwi na lang ako nang hindi pa tapos. "
Natural Translation
I was shocked at how long the line was, so I just went home without finishing.
Literal Translation
Was-surprised I at-the duration of-the line, so went-home just-only I while not yet done.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workWord family
tagal has 10 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.

Mano Po and Filipino Etiquette: A Visitor's Guide
Mano po presses an elder's hand to your forehead as a blessing. Learn who to mano, how to lip-point, and the etiquette that wins over a Filipino 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.

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 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.