bawat

Each / Every

Level 2

Bawat is the Filipino word for 'each' or 'every.' It is used to describe individual items or people within a larger group. Unlike many other modifiers in Filipino, it does not require a linker like na or -ng when it directly precedes a noun because the linker is already built into the word. In casual conversation, you will also hear the Spanish-derived synonym kada used in the same way.

How It Works

1. Morphology and Linkers
Historically, bawat is a contraction of the archaic word bawa and the linker at. Because of this 'fossilized' linker, you do not add another linker when it is followed directly by a noun. However, if an intervening word like isa (one) is used, a linker is required between that word and the noun.

  • Correct: bawat tao (each person)
  • Correct: bawat isang tao (each one person)
  • Incorrect: bawat na tao

2. Singular Noun Rule
Even when referring to a large group, the noun following bawat remains singular. You should avoid using the plural marker mga directly after it.

  • Correct: bawat bata (each child)
  • Incorrect: bawat mga bata

3. Bawat vs. Lahat
Use bawat when the action or quality applies to individuals one by one. Use lahat when referring to the collective total. Note that lahat requires the marker ng before common nouns (e.g., lahat ng bata), whereas bawat never uses ng as a linker to a noun. Lahat does not use ng when followed by pronouns like sila.

4. Pronominal Use
In English, you can say 'Give one to each.' In Filipino, bawat usually needs a noun or the word isa (one) to stand alone: bawat isa (each one).

Examples (4)

  1. Bawat bata ay nakatanggap ng regalo.

    Each child received a gift.

    Word by Word: Each child [marker] received [marker] gift.

    Notice that 'bata' (child) is singular and there is no linker between 'bawat' and 'bata'.

  2. Mahalaga ang bawat sandali na kasama kita.

    Every moment I am with you is important.

    Word by Word: Important the each moment that with you.

    Here, 'bawat' emphasizes the individual importance of every single moment.

  3. Dapat nating pakinggan ang bawat panig.

    We must listen to each side.

    Word by Word: Must by-us listen the each side.

    Using 'bawat' implies there are multiple sides and each one deserves individual attention.

  4. Binigyan niya ng bulaklak ang bawat isa.

    He/She gave a flower to each one.

    Word by Word: Gave he/she [marker] flower the each one.

    When 'each' stands alone as a pronoun, we use 'bawat isa' (each one).

Common Mistakes

  • Adding a redundant linker after 'bawat'.

    bawat na araw
    bawat araw

    The word 'bawat' already contains a fossilized linker (-t). Adding 'na' or '-ng' is grammatically incorrect.

  • Using the plural marker 'mga' with 'bawat'.

    bawat mga estudyante
    bawat estudyante

    Bawat is distributive and focuses on the singular unit. Using 'mga' makes the phrase redundant and unnatural.

How It Connects

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

bawatLevel 2Each / Every

Learn This First

To understand 'bawat' (each/every), a learner needs to understand how nouns are modified in Filipino, specifically how the linker connects modifiers to nouns. It is also helpful to understand the plural marker 'mga' to distinguish between collective groups and distributive individuals.

Words in This Pattern