tumuka
tumúka with stress marks
to peck
From root: tuka
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
tumuka
tu-MU-ka
pecked
Present (Incomplete)
tumutuka
tu-mu-TU-ka
is pecking
Future (Contemplated)
tutuka
tu-TU-ka
will peck
Usage Note
Tumuka is the actor-focus form of tuka, describing a bird pecking at food or the ground. Figuratively it is used affectionately about a child eating in small, birdlike bites, and the image is common in rural and agricultural contexts.
Examples
" Tumuka ang ibon sa lupa. "
Natural Translation
The bird pecked at the ground.
Literal Translation
Pecked the bird at ground.
" Nagsimulang tumuka ng mga natirang kanin ang manok sa bakuran. "
Natural Translation
The chicken started to peck at the leftover rice in the yard.
Literal Translation
Started to peck of leftover rice the chicken in yard.
" Habang nagtatanim kami, paisa-isang tumuka ng mga binhi ang mga maya na lumapag sa bukid. "
Natural Translation
While we were planting, the sparrows that landed in the field pecked at the seeds one by one.
Literal Translation
While planting we, one-by-one pecked of seeds the sparrows that landed in field.
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.

How to Say "I Love You" in Tagalog: Phrases & Meaning
Learn how to say I love you in Tagalog. Mahal kita, Iniibig kita, and Filipino terms of endearment for partners, family, and friends — with cultural notes.

Tagalog Slang Guide: 20 Words You'll Hear on TikTok
Tagalog slang explained: lodi, petmalu, werpa, astig, chika and more. Decode Filipino TikTok comments, group chats, and pop culture with this practical guide.

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.

Tagalog Verb Conjugation: Aspects Made Simple
Tagalog verb conjugation uses aspects, not tenses. Learn the three aspects with -um- and mag- verbs, one reduplication rule, and clear example tables.