si / ni / kay
Personal Name Markers
In Filipino, you cannot just say a person's name alone. You must use a special marker: si (subject), ni (possessor/actor), or kay (direction/location/possession). These are the 'personal' versions of the ang / ng / sa markers.
How It Works
Filipino distinguishes between common nouns (like 'dog' or 'teacher') and personal names (like 'Maria' or a named pet like 'Fido'). While common nouns and place names (like 'Maynila') use ang, ng, and sa, personal names require their own set:
- si: Used when the person is the focus (subject) of the sentence.
- ni: Used to show possession (e.g., 'Maria's book') or to mark the actor in sentences where the object is the focus.
- kay: Used to show direction, location, or a beneficiary (e.g., 'to Maria'). It is also used to show predicative possession, meaning 'belongs to'.
These markers also have plural forms: sina, nina, and kina, used when referring to a person and their group (e.g., sina Maria means 'Maria and others').
Note that kinship terms like Nanay (Mother) can use either system: si Nanay treats the title as a personal name, while ang nanay treats it as a common noun. Becoming proficient in this system is foundational because using common markers for people (like ang Juan) sounds highly unnatural to native speakers.
Examples (6)
- Mabait si Juan.
Juan is kind.
Word by Word: Kind [focus marker] Juan.
Here, 'si' marks Juan as the focus/subject of the sentence.
- Binasa ni Maria ang libro.
Maria read the book.
Word by Word: Read [non-focus marker] Maria [focus marker] book.
In this object-focus sentence, 'ni' marks Maria as the actor who performed the action.
- Ito ang libro ni Maria.
This is Maria's book.
Word by Word: This [focus marker] book [possessive marker] Maria.
In this case, 'ni' indicates that the book belongs to Maria.
- Ibigay mo ito kay Pedro.
Give this to Pedro.
Word by Word: Give you this [oblique marker] Pedro.
The marker 'kay' shows that Pedro is the recipient of the action.
- Kay Maria ang libro.
The book belongs to Maria.
Word by Word: [Possessive marker] Maria [focus marker] book.
When 'kay' starts a sentence, it indicates possession, meaning the item belongs to that person.
- Kumain sina Anna ng mangga.
Anna and her companions ate a mango.
Word by Word: Ate [plural focus marker] Anna [non-focus marker] mango.
The plural form 'sina' indicates Anna and at least one other person.
Common Mistakes
Using 'si' as the verb 'is'.
Si Juan mabait.Mabait si Juan.Filipino is often predicate-initial. 'Si' is just a marker for the name, not a verb. The adjective or action usually comes first.
Using common markers (ang/ng/sa) for people's names.
Ito ang libro ng Maria.Ito ang libro ni Maria.Personal names must use the personal system (si/ni/kay). Using 'ng' for a person sounds like you are referring to an object rather than a human being.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- ang / ng / saCore Phrase Markers
This is the parallel system used for common nouns instead of proper names.
Foundations - siFocused Personal Marker
The specific marker for a single person in the focus position.
Level 1 - niNonfocused Personal Marker
The specific marker for a single person as a possessor or non-focus actor.
Level 1 - kayOblique Personal Marker
The specific marker for a single person as a location or recipient.
Level 1 - sinaPlural Focused Personal Marker
The plural version of 'si', used for groups of people.
Level 1 - Predicate First
The sentence structure that often places these markers in the middle or end of a sentence.
Foundations
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice si / ni / kay in Bubblegum
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