Pang-angkla refers to what?

• A. Anchor used to secure a ship.
• B. National law governing the Philippines.
• C. Whirlwind or tornado.
• D. Happiness or joy.

Answer: (A)

In Filipino word formation, pang- added to a root noun often marks an instrument or implement used for the action of that root. Angkla means anchor. So pang-angkla points to the tool you use to anchor a ship—the anchor itself that secures the vessel. That’s why pang-angkla refers to the anchor used to secure a ship. It wouldn’t mean a law (batas) or a whirlwind (bagyo) or happiness (kaligayahan), which would come from different roots.