tulad

Tulad is a Filipino word used to express similarity or comparison. In Tagalog it functions mainly as a preposition or a connective, linking what is being compared to the rest of the sentence. The word is typically used with a following noun phrase, most commonly in the collocation tulad ng, which marks the thing being compared, as in tulad ng dati or tulad ng sinabi mo. It can also appear with pronouns or demonstratives to mean like or similar to, such as tulad ko or tulad niya.

Usage and nuance: Tulad is often interchangeable with gaya ng or parang, but each carries a slightly different nuance. Tulad ng emphasizes a direct similarity to a stated reference, while gaya ng is similar in meaning and slightly more formal, and parang is more colloquial and sometimes softer or more speculative. Tulad can introduce similes and is common in both written and spoken Filipino.

Examples:

- Tulad ng dati, umuulan ngayon. (As before, it is raining today.)

- Tulad ng sinabi mo, susunod ako. (As you said, I will follow.)

Limitations and notes: Tulad typically requires a following noun phrase or pronoun after ng or after a demonstrative when used with a pronoun. It does not function as a standalone adverb of degree; instead it anchors a comparison to another referenced element in the sentence.

See also: gaya ng, parang. The choice among these terms depends on formality, emphasis, and regional variation within the Filipino language. Tulad remains a common, neutral way to express similarity in everyday Filipino.