ayon sa

According to

Level 3

Use ayon sa to cite a source of information, such as a report, a group of people, or a document. It functions exactly like 'according to' in English.

How It Works

The phrase ayon sa is the standard way to attribute facts or statements in Filipino. It is used across all registers, from casual conversation to formal news reporting.

1. Usage with Common Nouns:
When citing a thing, document, or organization, use ayon sa.
Example: Ayon sa balita... (According to the news...)

2. Usage with Plural Nouns:
When citing a group, add the plural marker mga.
Example: Ayon sa mga doktor... (According to the doctors...)

3. Usage with Pronouns:
It must be followed by the sa-form (oblique) pronouns.
Example: Ayon sa kaniya... (According to him/her...)

4. Usage with Demonstratives:
To refer to a specific document or point at hand, use demonstrative pronouns.
Example: Ayon dito... (According to this/here...)

5. The 'Kay' Exception:
Crucially, you cannot use sa with personal names. You must switch to kay (singular) or kina (plural).
Example: Ayon kay Maria... (According to Maria...)

6. Nuance vs. Batay sa:
While ayon sa simply reports what was said, batay sa implies that a conclusion or action was 'based on' that information.

Examples (5)

  1. Ayon sa ulat ng PAGASA, may darating na bagyo.

    According to the report from PAGASA, a typhoon is coming.

    Word by Word: According to the report of PAGASA, there is coming linker typhoon.

    Here, 'ayon sa' is used with a common noun (ulat/report) to cite a weather authority.

  2. Ayon sa kaniya, hindi siya makakarating sa party.

    According to him, he won't be able to make it to the party.

    Word by Word: According to him, not he will-be-able-to-arrive at-the party.

    This shows the use of the sa-form pronoun 'kaniya' after the phrase.

  3. Ayon sa mga eksperto, mahalaga ang pagtulog nang sapat.

    According to the experts, getting enough sleep is important.

    Word by Word: According to the [plural] expert, important the sleeping linker enough.

    The marker 'mga' is used to indicate that the source is a plural group of people.

  4. Ayon kay Juan, tapos na ang proyekto.

    According to Juan, the project is already finished.

    Word by Word: According to [personal marker] Juan, finished already the project.

    Note the change from 'sa' to 'kay' because a specific person's name is being used.

  5. Ayon dito, kailangan nating magbayad bago ang Lunes.

    According to this, we need to pay before Monday.

    Word by Word: According to here, need we-inclusive linker to-pay before the Monday.

    When referring to a document or specific point, 'ayon' is paired with demonstrative pronouns like 'dito' (here/this).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'sa' with a person's name.

    Ayon sa Maria, uulan ngayon.
    Ayon kay Maria, uulan ngayon.

    Personal names require the personal marker 'kay' instead of the general marker 'sa'.

  • Using the wrong pronoun case.

    Ayon sa siya, aalis na tayo.
    Ayon sa kaniya, aalis na tayo.

    You must use the sa-form (oblique) pronoun (kaniya) rather than the ang-form (siya) after 'ayon sa'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ayon saLevel 3According to

Learn This First

The pattern 'ayon sa' functions as a prepositional phrase used to attribute information to a source. To use it correctly, you must understand the basic marker system, specifically the difference between the oblique marker 'sa' (for objects or places) and 'kay' (for specific people), as the marker changes depending on the source being cited.

Words in This Pattern

ayon sa