noong

When / in the Past

Level 3

Use noong to say "when" or "during" for events that happened in the past. It is strictly for past contexts.

How It Works

In Filipino, noong is the primary way to establish a past timeframe. Unlike the English word "when," which can refer to any time, noong is exclusively used for the past.

1. Usage with Time Expressions:
It is placed before days, months, years, or specific times to indicate when a completed action occurred.
Example: noong Lunes (last Monday), noong 1998 (in 1998).

2. Usage with Clauses:
It can introduce a whole phrase describing a past state, often used with the word pa (still).
Example: noong bata pa ako (when I was still a child).

3. Register Differences:
In formal writing and careful speech, noong is the standard form. However, in conversational Filipino, it is almost always shortened to nung. While nung is extremely common, avoid using it in formal documents.

4. Distinction from 'Noon':
Noon is a standalone adverb meaning "back then." Noong is the form required when you are immediately followed by a specific time or event.

Examples (5)

  1. Noong bata pa ako, nakatira kami sa Cebu.

    When I was still a child, we lived in Cebu.

    Word by Word: When child still I, lived we in Cebu.

    Here, 'noong' introduces a past state (being a child) to set the timeframe for the main action.

  2. Nagkita kami ni Maria noong nakaraang Lunes.

    Maria and I met last Monday.

    Word by Word: Met we (exclusive) Maria when past Monday.

    In this sentence, 'noong' is used with a specific day of the week.

  3. Noong 1990, wala pang masyadong sasakyan dito.

    In 1990, there weren't many vehicles here yet.

    Word by Word: When 1990, none yet too-much vehicle here.

    This shows 'noong' used with a specific year to describe a past condition.

  4. Kumain kami sa labas noong Sabado.

    We ate out last Saturday.

    Word by Word: Ate we (exclusive) at outside when Saturday.

    A common everyday use of 'noong' to specify which day a completed action happened.

  5. Noong panahon ng Kastila, marami ang nagbago.

    During the Spanish period, many things changed.

    Word by Word: When time of Spanish, many the changed.

    Here 'noong' is used to refer to a historical era or period of time.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'noong' for future events.

    Noong pupunta ako sa Maynila bukas...
    Kapag pupunta ako sa Maynila bukas...

    Learners often translate the English 'when' directly. However, 'noong' is only for the past. For future or conditional 'when', use kapag or kung.

  • Using 'noong' as a standalone adverb.

    Noong, masaya kami.
    Noon, masaya kami.

    The '-g' at the end of 'noong' is a linker that expects a following word. If you want to say 'Back then' or 'At that time' without specifying a date, use 'noon'.

  • Using 'nung' in formal writing.

    Nung taong 1898...
    Noong taong 1898...

    'Nung' is a very common spoken contraction, but it is considered informal. Use the full 'noong' for essays, reports, or professional emails.

How It Connects

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

noongLevel 3When / in the Past

Learn This First

To use 'noong' correctly, learners need to understand that it is a combination of the demonstrative 'noon' (that time) and the linker '-ng'. It functions to introduce specific points in time or events that occurred in the past, requiring a grasp of past-tense (completed) verb forms and the general concept of time markers in Filipino.

Words in This Pattern