How to Say "Only" or "Just" in Tagalog | LANG in English

→ Limiting Quantity or Choice

Isa lang ang gusto ko. (I just want one.)

Konti lang ang kailangan ko. (I just need a little.)

Malapit lang ang bahay namin dito. (Our house is just nearby.)

Sa gabi lang ako puwede. (I’m only free at night.)

Isang piraso lang ang natira. (Only one piece is left.)

Dalawa lang ang dala ko. (I only brought two.)

Pangarap lang ‘yon. (That’s just a dream.)

Tinapay lang ang inalmusal ko kaninang umaga. (I just had bread for breakfast this morning.)

Isang kutsaritang asukal lang ang ilagay mo. (Just put one teaspoon of sugar.)

→ Limiting Identity or Role

Ako lang ang nandito. (I’m the only one here.)

Siya lang ang nakakaalam. (He’s the only one who knows.)

Iyon lang ang mahalaga. (That’s the only thing that matters.)

Siya lang ang nagsabi ng totoo. (He was the only one who told the truth.)

Ikaw lang ang pinagkakatiwalaan ko. (You’re the only one I trust.)

Ako lang ang hindi nakauniporme. (I was the only one not wearing a uniform.)

Siya lang ang hindi nakangiti sa litratro. (He was the only one not smiling in the photo.)

Si Leigh lang ang may dalang payong. (Leigh is the only one who brought an umbrella.)

Si Adrian lang ang hindi kasali. (Adrian is the only one not included.)

Sila lang ang tumulong sa amin kahapon. (They were the only ones who helped us yesterday.)

Ikaw lang ang nakaalala ng birthday ko. (You’re the only one who remembered my birthday.)

→ Limiting Action or Intent

Sandali lang, ha? (Just a sec, okay?)

Huwag mong hipuin. Tingnan mo lang. (Don’t touch it. Just look.)

Dito ka lang, sandali lang ako. (Wait here — I’ll just be a moment.)

Gusto ko lang magpasalamat. (I just want to say thanks.)

Dadaan lang ako doon saglit. (I’ll just stop by there for a bit.)

Maglilinis lang ako saglit. (I’ll just clean up for a bit.)

Sumasagot lang ako sa tanong. (I’m just answering the question.)

→ Expressing Time Sensitivity or Recency

Kauuwi lang niya. (He just got home.)

Kadarating lang namin. (We just got here.)

Katatapos lang ng meeting. (The meeting just ended.)

Kagigising ko lang. (I just woke up.)

Katatawag lang ni Cathy. (Cathy just called.)

Kaalis lang nila. (They just left.)

Ngayon lang siya sumagot. (He just replied now.)

→ Downplaying, Humor, or Softening a Statement

Kuwento lang ‘yon. (It was just a story.)

Nagpapatawa lang ako.  (I was just trying to be funny.)

Biro lang ‘yon. Huwag mong seryosohin. (It was just a joke. Don’t take it seriously.)

Nagpapa-cute lang ‘yon. (She’s just trying to be cute.)

Opinyon ko lang ‘yon. (That was just my opinion.)

Napansin ko lang naman. (I just happened to notice.)

Pakiramdam niya lang ‘yon. (That’s just how he feels.)