iyan

That Near You

Level 1

Iyan (often shortened to 'yan) means "that" when the object is near the person you are talking to. It is part of Filipino's three-way distance system: ito (near me), iyan (near you), and iyon (far from both).

How It Works

Filipino demonstratives are more specific than English. While English uses "that" for anything not near the speaker, Filipino distinguishes between "that near you" (iyan) and "that far away" (iyon).

1. Usage as a Pronoun (Ang-form)
It can stand alone as the subject of a sentence. In casual speech, it is almost always shortened to 'yan. It can also refer to abstract ideas or topics just mentioned by the person you are talking to.
Examples: Ano 'yan? (What is that [near you]?) / Tama 'yan. (That [idea you just said] is correct.)

2. Usage as a Modifier (The Linker)
When iyan describes a specific noun (like "that book"), it requires a linker. Following the standard linker rules, because iyan ends in the letter n, the linker attaches as -g to the end of the word.

  • Iyang + noun: Iyang libro (That book near you).
  • Noun + linker + iyan: Librong iyan (That book near you). Note that in full sentences, this specific word order is usually preceded by ang (e.g., Ang librong iyan).
  • Double Demonstrative: Framing the noun with the demonstrative on both sides (e.g., Iyang librong iyan) is not redundant but a standard structure in Tagalog for emphasis or natural phrasing.

3. Other Forms of Iyan
To become proficient in using this demonstrative, you should also recognize its other case forms:

  • niyan (Ng-form): Used for possession, as a non-focused object, or as the actor/doer of an object-focus verb. Gusto ko niyan. (I want that.) / Kinain niyan ang ulam. (That [animal near you] ate the food.) In casual speech, it is often shortened to 'nyan.
  • diyan (Sa-form): Used for location or direction. Ilagay mo diyan. (Put it there [near you].) It becomes riyan when the preceding word ends in a vowel (e.g., Pumunta ka riyan). Often spelled or pronounced as 'dyan or jan.
  • ganyan: Used to mean "like that." Ganyan ang gusto ko. (I want it like that.) Note that ganyan is a contraction of ganiyan.
  • hayan / ayan: The presentative form, meaning "There it is [near you]" or "There you go." Ayan na! (There it is!)

4. Pluralization
To say "those" (near you), use the plural marker mga. It can be used with a noun or stand alone as a plural pronoun.

  • With a noun: Iyang mga susi (Those keys near you).
  • Standalone: Ano ang mga iyan? (What are those [near you]?)

5. Social Nuance
While usually for objects, you can use it for people (e.g., "Who is that?"), but be careful; referring to a person as iyan in a descriptive way can sometimes sound dismissive compared to using siya.

Examples (5)

  1. Iyan ang gusto ko.

    That is what I want.

    Word by Word: That [near you] the want I.

    Here, 'iyan' is the topic of the sentence, referring to something the listener is likely holding or pointing at.

  2. Ano 'yan?

    What is that?

    Word by Word: What that [near you]?

    This uses the common contracted form ''yan' in a very frequent everyday question.

  3. Iyang kape ang sa akin.

    That coffee (near you) is mine.

    Word by Word: That-linker coffee the for me.

    The linker '-ng' is attached to 'iyan' to modify the noun 'kape'.

  4. Kunin mo ang mga basong iyan.

    Take those glasses (near you).

    Word by Word: Get you the [plural] glass-linker that [near you].

    This shows the alternative placement of the demonstrative after the noun. Since 'baso' ends in a vowel, the linker '-ng' is attached directly to it.

  5. Iyan ang bahay nila.

    That is their house.

    Word by Word: That [near you] the house their.

    Used when the speaker and listener are standing near a house that belongs to someone else.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'ang' before 'iyan'.

    Ang iyan ay mahal.
    Iyan ay mahal.

    'Iyan' is already an 'ang-form' word. Adding 'ang' before it is redundant, like saying 'the that' in English.

  • Forgetting the linker when modifying a noun.

    iyan libro
    iyang libro

    In Filipino, demonstratives must be connected to the nouns they modify using the linker -ng or na.

  • Confusing 'iyan' with 'iyon'.

    Iyon ang hawak mo.
    Iyan ang hawak mo.

    If the listener is holding the object ('hawak mo'), you must use 'iyan'. 'Iyon' is only for things far from both people.

How It Connects

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

iyanLevel 1That Near You

Learn This First

To understand 'iyan', you need to be familiar with how the 'ang' marker identifies the subject of a sentence and how Filipino uses a zero copula for simple identification. Knowing 'ito' (this) provides the necessary context for how demonstrative pronouns change based on distance.

Words in This Pattern

iyaniyan