nito / niyan / niyon

Demonstrative Ng Forms

Level 1

Nito (near me), niyan (near you), and niyon (far from both) are the 'Ng' versions of 'this' and 'that'. They show possession, mark non-focused objects, identify the doer in non-actor focus sentences, or act as intensifiers.

How It Works

The Demonstrative Ng Forms serve four primary functions in Filipino grammar:

  • Possession: They indicate who or what owns something (e.g., dahon nito - 'leaf of this').
  • Non-focused Objects: When using an actor-focus verb, these pronouns mark the object if it is not the specific topic.
  • The Doer (Actor): In object-focus sentences, these pronouns identify who performed the action.
  • Intensifiers: They are often used after adjectives to add emphasis, such as Ang ganda nito! ('This is so beautiful!').

Distance Categories:
1. Nito: Near the speaker ('of this').
2. Niyan: Near the listener ('of that').
3. Niyon: Far from both ('of that over there'). Note that while noon is related, it is almost exclusively used as a time marker ('then/back then'). Use niyon for objects.

Spoken Contractions:
In natural conversation, you will often hear these shortened to n'to, n'yan, and n'yon.

Using Linkers:
When these words describe a noun directly, they use the linker: nitong, niyang, or niyong.

Examples (5)

  1. Ano ang pangalan nito?

    What is the name of this?

    Word by Word: What the name of-this?

    Here, 'nito' shows possession, referring to an object the speaker is holding or is very close to.

  2. Gusto ko niyan.

    I want some of that.

    Word by Word: Want I of-that.

    Using 'niyan' indicates the object is near the person being spoken to. It is the non-focused object of the verb 'gusto'.

  3. Binili niyon ang kotse.

    That (person/thing over there) bought the car.

    Word by Word: Bought by-that-over-there the car.

    In this object-focus sentence, 'niyon' (the distal Ng form) identifies the actor who performed the action.

  4. Ang ganda nitong bulaklak!

    This flower is so beautiful!

    Word by Word: The beauty of-this-linker flower!

    This uses 'nito' with a linker ('nitong') to describe a specific noun, while also acting as an intensifier for the adjective.

  5. Uminom ka niyan.

    Drink some of that.

    Word by Word: Drink you of-that.

    In actor-focus commands, the Ng-form 'niyan' is used for the indefinite object.

Common Mistakes

  • Choosing between 'iyan' and 'niyan' after 'gusto'.

    Different MeaningGusto ko iyan.
    Gusto ko niyan.

    Both are correct. 'Gusto ko iyan' points to one particular thing you like or want, and it is very common. 'Gusto ko niyan' presents the thing more like something you want some of, or that kind of thing.

  • Forgetting the linker when modifying a noun.

    ang kulay nito bahay
    ang kulay nitong bahay

    When a demonstrative like 'nito' is used to describe a noun ('this house'), you must attach the linker -ng or na.

  • Using 'nito' as the subject of a sentence.

    Mabigat nito.
    Mabigat ito.

    Nito can never be the 'focus' or subject of a sentence. Use 'ito' for 'This is heavy'.

How It Connects

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nito / niyan / niyonLevel 1Demonstrative Ng Forms

Learn This First

To understand 'nito', 'niyan', and 'niyon', you must first understand the basic 'ng' marker's role in marking possession and non-focused participants. You also need to be familiar with the basic demonstrative pronouns (ito, iyan, iyon) and the general concept that Filipino pronouns change form depending on their case.

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Words in This Pattern

niyanniyon