tag-

Each / Apiece

Level 3

The prefix tag- is used to indicate how much something costs per unit or how many items each person in a group receives. It is the standard way to say 'each' or 'at the rate of' in Cebuano.

How It Works

The tag- prefix is a distributive numeral marker. Its primary functions include:

  • Pricing: It indicates the price per unit. The question tagpila (how much each) is the most common application. The standard formulas are Tagpila ang [noun]? (How much is the [noun]?) and Tagpila ang kilo/buok? (How much per kilo/piece?).
  • Distribution: It describes how items are divided among people. If you give everyone two candies, you say tagduha.
  • Units of Measurement: The prefix can also attach directly to units of measurement to mean 'one [unit] each' or 'per [unit]', such as tagkilo (per kilo). For 'per piece', Cebuanos typically use tinagsa or ask tagpila ang buok.
  • Numeral Choice: In everyday conversation, Spanish-derived numbers are the overwhelming default for pricing (e.g., tagdos, tag-diyes), while native numbers are the default for distributing items (e.g., tagduha).
  • Hyphenation Rule: A hyphen is mandatory when tag- precedes a root starting with a vowel, such as tag-unom (six each) or tag-otso (eight each). While some modern writers use hyphens with Spanish-derived numbers like tag-singko for visual clarity, the vowel rule is the primary orthographic requirement.
  • Morphological Changes: When combined with native numbers, some words undergo contraction or metathesis. The form tagsa (from usa, 1) is the universal, everyday standard for 'one each'. However, the contracted forms for 2–6 are largely relegated to formal, literary, or older dialects:
    • duha (2) → tagurha
    • tulo (3) → tagutlo
    • upat (4) → tagup-at
    • lima (5) → tagilma
    • unom (6) → tagun-om
    In modern daily conversation, the uncontracted forms (tagduha, tagtulo, tag-upat, taglima, tag-unom) are standard.
  • Larger Numbers: The prefix attaches seamlessly to multiples of ten and hundreds, which is essential for pricing. Examples include tagnapulo (ten each), tagkalim-an (fifty each), and taggatos (one hundred each).
  • Grouped Distribution: To indicate dividing items into groups of a certain number, the root is reduplicated and the suffix -on is added to form a verb, such as tagduha-duhaon (to divide into twos). If you want to use the adverbial form for 'one by one' or 'individually', use tinagsa (formed by adding the -in- infix to tagsa). For 'by twos' or 'two at a time', use tinagduha (t-in-ag-duha) or tagduha-duha (without the -on suffix).
  • Reduplication: Repeating the form, such as tagsa-tagsa, emphasizes 'one by one' or 'individually.'
  • Idiomatic Use: The word tagsa is also used in the highly common expression tagsa ra, which means 'rarely' or 'seldom'.
  • Note on Ownership: Do not confuse this distributive marker with the separate ownership prefix tag- (as seen in words like tag-iya, meaning 'owner').

Examples (6)

  1. Tagpila ang saging?

    How much are the bananas each?

    Word by Word: How-much-each the banana?

    Tagpila is the distributive form of 'pila' (how many/much), used specifically for unit prices.

  2. Tag-singko pesos ang usa ka buok.

    It is five pesos per piece.

    Word by Word: Each-five pesos the one [linker] piece.

    Here, tag- is attached to the Spanish-derived number 'singko' to indicate the rate per piece.

  3. Tagduha kita og pan.

    We each have two pieces of bread.

    Word by Word: Each-two we [marker] bread.

    This shows distribution among a group. Each person in the 'kita' (inclusive we) group receives two.

  4. Hatagi sila og tagsa ka pildoras.

    Give them one tablet each.

    Word by Word: Give them [marker] each-one [linker] tablet.

    Tagsa is the contracted form of tag-usa, meaning 'one apiece.'

  5. Naglakaw sila tagsa-tagsa.

    They are walking one by one.

    Word by Word: Walking they one-by-one.

    Reduplicating the distributive number indicates a sequential or individual action.

  6. Tagkilo ang pagbaligya sa bugas.

    The rice is sold per kilo.

    Word by Word: Each-kilo the selling of-the rice.

    Attaching tag- directly to a unit of measurement like 'kilo' means 'per kilo' or 'one kilo each'.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'tag-' with 'taga-'

    Taga-pila kini?
    Tagpila kini?

    Taga- refers to origin (where someone is from). Tag- refers to distributive price or quantity. 'Taga-pila' is nonsensical in this context.

  • Omitting the linker 'ka' after the distributive number

    Tagduha saging.
    Tagduha ka saging.

    Just like standard numbers, distributive numbers require the linker ka before the noun they modify.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

tag-Level 3Each / Apiece

Learn This First

To understand the distributive 'tag-' prefix, you must first be familiar with both native and Spanish-derived numbers, as these are the roots the prefix attaches to. Additionally, knowing how to use the ligature is necessary for connecting these distributive amounts to specific objects.

Words in This Pattern

tag-