magtinikling
to dance the tinikling
From root: tinikling
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
nagtinikling
nag-ti-NIK-ling
danced the tinikling
Present (Incomplete)
nagtitinikling
nag-ti-ti-NIK-ling
is dancing the tinikling
Future (Contemplated)
magtitinikling
mag-ti-ti-NIK-ling
will dance the tinikling
Usage Note
Magtinikling is the actor-focus form of tinikling, the Philippine national folk dance in which performers hop between clashing bamboo poles. The verb is most commonly used in school and cultural-event contexts, where performing the dance is a standard part of patriotic programs and fiestas.
Examples
" Marunong akong magtinikling. "
Natural Translation
I know how to dance the tinikling.
Literal Translation
Know I to-dance-tinikling.
" Mahirap magtinikling kapag hindi mo kabisado ang hakbang. "
Natural Translation
It is difficult to dance the tinikling if you haven't memorized the steps.
Literal Translation
Difficult to-dance-tinikling when not you memorize the step.
" Bago kami magtinikling sa palatuntunan, ilang linggo muna kaming nagsanay para hindi maipit ang mga paa sa kawayan. "
Natural Translation
Before we danced the tinikling at the program, we practiced for several weeks first so our feet wouldn't get caught in the bamboo.
Literal Translation
Before we to-dance-tinikling at program, several weeks first we practiced so not get-caught the feet in bamboo.
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.

Tagalog Greetings: How to Say Hello, Goodbye & Po/Opo
Master Tagalog greetings with pronunciation: kumusta, magandang umaga, po and opo polite forms, time-of-day phrases, and the mano po tradition.

Tagalog Root Words: Learn a Few Hundred, Understand Thousands
Tagalog root words unlock vocabulary fast: learn a few hundred and recognize thousands. Real word families, examples, and a practical study strategy.

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.

Languages of the Philippines: Tagalog, Cebuano, and More
Languages of the Philippines: one national language (Filipino) plus 180+ regional languages. Here's who speaks what, where, and why it matters to you.