marunong + Verb
Know How to
Marunong is the standard way to say you 'know how' to do something. It focuses on skills you've learned through practice, like swimming, cooking, or speaking a language.
How It Works
In Filipino, expressing ability is nuanced. Marunong primarily refers to acquired skills or proficiency. Morphologically, marunong is an adjective formed from the prefix ma- and the root dunong (knowledge or wisdom), literally meaning 'knowledgeable'. This explains why it requires Ang-case pronouns (e.g., Marunong ako, literally 'I am knowledgeable'), unlike the pseudo-verb alam which takes Ng-case pronouns (e.g., Alam ko). Both alam and marunong can be used to express knowing how to do a skill (e.g., Alam kong magluto and Marunong akong magluto are both correct). Meanwhile, kaya refers to physical or situational ability (having the strength, time, or resources to do it). For example, you might know how to swim (Marunong akong lumangoy), but you might not be able to do it right now because you are tired (Hindi ko kayang lumangoy ngayon). Beyond verbs, marunong can also function as a standalone adjective meaning 'wise' or 'intelligent'.
Grammar Structure:
1. The Linker and Subject Position: The linker connects marunong (which functions like a pseudo-verb here) to the infinitive verb. Because pronouns are second-position enclitics, they jump between marunong and the verb, causing the linker to attach to the pronoun. For example, if a pronoun like siya or kami is used: Marunong siyang magluto or Marunong kaming lumangoy. For regular noun subjects, the noun can follow the entire verb phrase (Marunong magluto si Juan) or it can follow marunong directly. If it follows marunong directly, a linker connects the subject to the verb. Because 'Juan' ends in the consonant 'n', the linker '-g' attaches directly to it (Marunong si Juang magluto). For names ending in other consonants, 'na' is used (e.g., Marunong si David na magluto). Sometimes, the linker is simply dropped (Marunong si Juan magluto).
2. Verb Form: Always use the neutral verb form (infinitive) of the verb. Do not conjugate for aspect.
3. Actor-Focus Constraint: Always use an actor-focus verb (like mag-, -um-, or ma-) after marunong. Do not use object-focus verbs (like -in, i-, or -an). If the infinitive verb takes an object, it follows the verb with a ng marker: Marunong siyang magluto ng adobo. If you need to use an object-focus verb (for example, to refer to a specific object), you must switch to alam instead (e.g., Alam kong lutuin ang adobo).
4. Expertise in a Field: You can also use marunong followed by the sa marker and a noun to indicate proficiency in a specific subject: Marunong siya sa Math.
5. Knowing a Language: To express knowledge of a language, you can use marunong followed by the ng marker and the language (Marunong siya ng Tagalog), or use the verb prefix mag- with the language (Marunong siyang mag-Tagalog).
6. Negation: To say someone 'does not know how,' place hindi at the beginning. Because pronouns are second-position enclitics, the Ang-case pronoun must jump to follow hindi directly, placing it before marunong: Hindi siya marunong magluto or Hindi ako marunong lumangoy.
Examples (5)
- Marunong ka bang mag-Tagalog?
Do you know how to speak Tagalog?
Word by Word: Know-how you [question marker] speak-Tagalog?
This uses the neutral form 'mag-Tagalog' and the question particle ba.
- Marunong siyang tumugtog ng gitara.
He/She knows how to play the guitar.
Word by Word: Know-how he/she-linker play [object marker] guitar.
The linker '-ng' is attached to the pronoun 'siya' to connect it to the verb 'tumugtog'.
- Hindi pa marunong magbasa ang bata.
The child doesn't know how to read yet.
Word by Word: Not yet know-how read [focus marker] child.
Uses hindi pa to indicate the skill hasn't been acquired yet.
- Marunong kaming lumangoy.
We know how to swim.
Word by Word: Know-how we(exclusive)-linker swim.
Uses the exclusive 'we' kami with the linker '-ng'.
- Marunong magluto si Maria.
Maria knows how to cook.
Word by Word: Know-how cook [personal marker] Maria.
When a name follows, the linker is often placed between 'marunong' and the verb, or sometimes omitted in casual speech.
Common Mistakes
Using a Ng-case pronoun instead of an Ang-case pronoun with 'marunong'.
Marunong kong mag-Tagalog.Marunong akong mag-Tagalog.Unlike 'alam' which takes Ng-case pronouns (like 'ko' or 'mo'), 'marunong' requires Ang-case pronouns (like 'ako' or 'ka').
Forgetting the linker after a pronoun ending in a vowel.
Marunong siya lumangoy.Marunong siyang lumangoy.When a pronoun ending in a vowel follows 'marunong', you must attach the '-ng' linker. However, if 'marunong' is followed directly by a verb, the linker 'na' is often dropped in casual speech (e.g., 'Marunong magluto').
Using a conjugated verb aspect instead of the neutral form.
Marunong siyang nagluluto.Marunong siyang magluto.After 'marunong', the verb should remain in its neutral form, not the progressive or completed aspect.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'marunong' (know how to), you need to understand how to link it to a verb using the linker 'na/-ng', how to use the neutral form of the verb, and how to correctly place the actor pronoun.
Related Patterns
- na / -ngThe Linker
The linker is essential for connecting 'marunong' or the subject to the verb describing the skill.
Foundations - hindi paNot Yet
Used to express that a skill has not been learned 'yet'.
Level 2 - kaya + Pronoun + VerbCan Manage to
While 'marunong' is about skill, 'kaya' is about the physical or situational ability to do something at a specific time.
Level 3 - maka-Able to Do
Another way to express ability, though 'maka-' often implies being 'able' to do something rather than 'knowing how' to do it.
Level 3 - baNeutral Question Particle
The question particle used to ask if someone 'knows how' to do something.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice marunong + Verb in Bubblegum
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