Skip to content

unahan

to get ahead of

verb u-na-HAN OF VERB Less Common
Mind & Emotions Mental States
Illustration of the root word "una" (first)
Illustration from root: una

From root: una

Conjugations

Past (Completed)

inunahan

i-nu-na-HAN

got ahead of

Present (Incomplete)

inuunahan

i-nu-u-na-HAN

getting ahead of

Future (Contemplated)

uunahan

u-u-na-HAN

will get ahead of

Usage Note

Unahan is used when one intends to perform an action or reach a destination before someone else, often implying a sense of competition or preemption. It is frequently applied in contexts such as racing for a spot, grabbing an opportunity, or being the first to speak in a conversation.

Examples

Beginner

" Huwag mo akong unahan. "

Natural Translation

Don't get ahead of me.

Literal Translation

Don't you me get-ahead-of.

Intermediate

" Ayaw kong unahan siya sa pila. "

Natural Translation

I don't want to get ahead of him in line.

Literal Translation

Dislike I get-ahead-of him at line.

Advanced

" Kahit gaano kabilis ang iba, hindi niya kayang unahan ang batang iyon sa takbuhan. "

Natural Translation

No matter how fast the others are, he can't get ahead of that kid in a race.

Literal Translation

Even how fast the others, not he can get-ahead-of the child that at race.

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.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.

How Tagalog words work

Word family

una has 8 related forms built from the same root.

See all

Explore Tagalog by topic

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

Grammar5 min read

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.

Vocabulary6 min read

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.

Learning Tips9 min read

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.

Vocabulary5 min read

Days of the Week and Months in Tagalog

The days of the week and months in Tagalog are Spanish loanwords. Learn all 7 days and 12 months with pronunciation, plus how to say dates and 'every Monday.'

View all articles