tagal

Part of Speech

verb; adjective/stative root

Semantic Domain
States and characteristics; Physical qualities; Endurance and resistance

Example Sentences

Matagal ag nae-exey ana lansang.
“Steel is durable and long-lasting.”

Ingwaen ta ana matagal a katoninengan.
“Let’s strive for long-lasting peace.”

Tagalan mo sana ana keleg.
“You just endure the pain.”

Matagal ako sa init.
“I can tolerate the heat.”
Literal: “Heat-endurance I have.”

Ana makatagal sa karingisan agko kakesgan.
“One who can endure cruelty has strength.”

Morphology

tagal — root; endurance, durability, resistance, persistence.

matagal < ma- + tagal — durable; enduring; resistant; able to withstand or tolerate.

tagalan < tagal + -an — to endure, bear, or withstand an experienced hardship, discomfort, pain, or adverse condition.

makatagal < maka- + tagal — to be able to endure, withstand, tolerate, or survive.

Notes

The semantic core of tagal is persistence or continued capacity despite something that could cause failure, deterioration, cessation, or discomfort. Its meaning extends naturally across several domains: an object may be matagal because it withstands wear or damage; a person may be matagal because he or she tolerates heat, pain, hardship, or adversity; and a state such as katoninengan “peace, quiet, calm” may be matagal because it persists.

Distinguish tagal from exey “long-lasting.” Exey primarily profiles temporal duration or longevity—something continues for a long time—whereas tagal profiles the capacity to persist, endure, or withstand. The expression Matagal ag nae-exey ana lansang therefore combines two complementary qualities: durability or resistance (matagal) and longevity (nae-exey).

Compare keseg “strength,” which denotes the strength or capacity that may enable a person to withstand adversity, rather than endurance itself.

Related Entries
exey — long-lasting; lasting through time
keleg — pain; hurt
keseg — strength
ringis — cruelty
tonineng — quietness; calm; peace
ingwa — strive; endeavor