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usap

úsap with stress marks

conversation; talk

noun verb U-sap Native origin Common
Communication Expressions

Usage Note

Usap is the foundation for essential verbs like 'mag-usap' (to talk to each other) and 'kausapin' (to talk to someone). In daily life, it is almost always used with affixes to describe everything from casual chats to formal discussions, making it central to Filipino social interaction.

Examples

Beginner

" Mahaba ang usap namin. "

Natural Translation

Our conversation was long.

Literal Translation

Long the talk our.

Intermediate

" Tapos na ang usap namin. "

Natural Translation

Our conversation is finished.

Literal Translation

Finished already the talk our.

Advanced

" Matagal na kaming hindi nagkikita, kaya marami kaming usap nang magkita kami sa kapihan kahapon. "

Natural Translation

We hadn't seen each other for a long time, so we had a lot to talk about when we met at the cafe yesterday.

Literal Translation

Long-time already we not see-each-other, so much we talk when meet we at cafe yesterday.

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How Tagalog words work

Actor Focus Verbs

mag-usap AF VERB

to talk with each other

makipag-usap AF VERB

to talk with someone

makausap AF VERB

to be able to talk to

Object Focus Verbs

kausapin OF VERB

to talk to someone

pag-usapan OF VERB

to talk about something

ipag-usap OF VERB

to talk on behalf of someone

pakiusapan OF VERB

to request / plead with

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