An Austronesian language, it is related to such languages as Indonesian, Malay, Fijian, Maori, Hawaiian, Malagasy, Samoan, Tahitian, Chamorro, Tetum, and Paiwan.
Kabagian ti Ilokano dagiti nadumaduma a dildila kas iti Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Melayu, Maori, Fijiano, Hawayano, Malagasi, Samoano, Tahitiano, Chamorro, Tetum, ken Paiwan.