From root: talo
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
tinalo
ti-NA-lo
defeated
Present (Incomplete)
tinatalo
ti-na-TA-lo
defeating
Future (Contemplated)
tatalunin
ta-ta-lu-NIN
will defeat
Usage Note
Talunin is an object-focus verb used when focusing on the specific person, team, or opponent that needs to be defeated in a competition or conflict. It is more formal and direct than the root 'talo' and specifically implies the act of overcoming a rival. It can also mean to jump over something.
Examples
" Talunin natin sila. "
Natural Translation
Let's defeat them.
Literal Translation
Defeat-someone we them.
" Mahirap talunin ang kampeon. "
Natural Translation
It is hard to defeat the champion.
Literal Translation
Hard defeat-someone the champion.
" Kung gusto nating talunin ang nangungunang koponan, kailangan nating magsanay araw-araw. "
Natural Translation
If we want to defeat the leading team, we need to train every day.
Literal Translation
If want our defeat-someone the leading team, need our train day-to-day.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workWord family
talo has 9 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.

Spaced Repetition for Tagalog: How Flashcards Make Words Stick
Cramming Tagalog vocabulary fails. See how spaced repetition — the science behind smart flashcards — makes words stick for the long term.

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.

Ng vs Nang in Tagalog: The Spelling Rule
Ng vs nang sound identical but spell differently. Use ng to mark nouns (of, the object), and nang for how, when, repetition, and counting time.

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.