mao kana ang
That Is What
Mao kana ang identifies that as the particular thing being discussed.
How It Works
Mao kana ang libro nga imong gipangita identifies that as the book you were looking for. Kana often points toward the listener or a previously mentioned point. Physical distance is not its only use; the discourse can establish the reference.
In conversation, mao kana ang often shortens to mao na ang or mao nay. In a suitable context, mao nay... introduces the reason why something happened, especially with hinungdan. Do not expand every instance as a reason: it can identify an ordinary object too.
Mao kadto ang or mao toy often points back to an earlier event and can translate as that was the one or that was what happened. It is not a past-tense conjugation: choose the demonstrative from the reference, and use the clause and context to locate the event in time.
The shortened demonstrative na means that; the particle na means now or already. Distinguish them in context. To ask a question, add ba, as in Mao ba kana ang...?. To deny the identification, use dili. A simple property statement such as Dako kana differs from identifying the big one.
Examples (4)
- Mao kana ang akong gipasabot kanimo.
That is what I was explaining to you.
Here, 'mao kana' refers to a point the listener likely just acknowledged, and 'ang' focuses the action of explaining.
- Mao kana ang hinungdan ngano nga mibiya siya.
That is the reason why he left.
This uses ang hinungdan ngano to identify a specific cause previously mentioned by the interlocutor.
- Mao kana ang libro nga imong gipangita.
That is the book that you were looking for.
In this physical context, 'kana' implies the book is near the listener or in their hand.
- Mao kana ang kamatuoran, bisan og sakit kini.
That is the truth, even if it is painful.
This identifies a statement or situation as 'the truth' (kamatuoran).
Common Mistakes
Confusing 'mao kana ang' with 'mao nga'.
Mao kana ang mianhi ko.Mao nga mianhi ko.mao nga / maong means 'That is why' (conjunction), whereas 'Mao kana ang' identifies a specific noun or nominalized action.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'mao kana ang', you need to know how 'mao' functions as an equational marker, how the demonstrative 'kana' points to things near the listener, and how 'ang' marks the focused noun phrase being identified.
Related Patterns
- mao kini angThis Is What
The equivalent pattern for identifying something near the speaker ('This is what...').
Level 6 - ang hinungdan nganoThe Reason Why
Often follows 'mao kana' to identify a specific reason.
Level 4 - angFocused Phrase Marker
The focused phrase marker that nominalizes the topic in this equational structure.
Level 1 - mao nga / maongThat Is Why
A conjunction meaning 'that is why', often confused with 'mao kana ang'.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Sources
Practice mao kana ang in Bubblegum
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