iyon

That Over There

Level 1

Iyon is used to point at something distant from both you and the person you are talking to. It is the equivalent of 'that over there' in English.

How It Works

In Filipino, iyon indicates distance in both space and time. It is used when the object or idea is far away from both the speaker and the listener.

1. Physical and Temporal Distance:
While often used for physical objects out of reach, iyon is also the standard way to refer to past events or time periods that feel distant from the present (e.g., noong panahong iyon - 'during that time'). While it can refer to a previously mentioned future event, future time is more commonly indicated by aspect or specific time adverbs.

2. Usage as a Pronoun:
It can stand alone as the subject or the predicate of a sentence.
Example: Ano iyon? (What is that over there?)

3. Usage as a Modifier:
When iyon describes a noun, it requires the linker. Because iyon ends in 'n', the linker -g is attached directly to it, resulting in iyong. Note that iyong is also the form for 'your' (from iyo), so context is key.
Example: iyong bahay (that house over there).

4. Spoken Contractions:
In casual conversation, the initial 'i' is almost always dropped. You will frequently hear 'yon or 'yun. When used as a modifier, it is almost always contracted to yung (e.g., yung bahay). This contraction is a helpful way to distinguish 'that' from the possessive 'your' (iyong) in natural conversation.

Examples (5)

  1. Ano iyon?

    What is that (over there)?

    Word by Word: What that?

    A common question used when pointing at something in the distance.

  2. Iyon ang pangarap ko.

    That (distant concept) is my dream.

    Word by Word: That the dream my.

    Iyon can also refer to abstract concepts that feel 'distant' or 'ahead' in time.

  3. Gusto ko ang sasakyang iyon.

    I like that vehicle (over there).

    Word by Word: Want I the vehicle-linker that.

    Here, iyon follows the noun it modifies, connected by the linker -ng (sasakyan + -ng).

  4. Iyong mga bata ay naglalaro.

    Those children (over there) are playing.

    Word by Word: That-linker [plural] child [marker] playing.

    Demonstrates the use of 'iyong' (iyon + linker) with the plural marker 'mga'.

  5. Ano 'yun?

    What's that?

    Word by Word: What that?

    Shows the casual contraction 'yun' (from iyon) used in a natural, everyday question.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'iyon' for something the listener is holding.

    Different MeaningMaganda iyon.
    Maganda iyan.

    If the object is near the listener, you must use iyan. 'Iyon' is strictly for things far from both people.

  • Thinking 'iyong' and 'yung' are different words.

    Different MeaningIyong bahay.
    Yung bahay.

    'Iyong bahay' is correct and means 'that house' (it can also mean 'your house', because iyong is also the linked form of 'iyo'). 'Yung bahay' is the casual form of the 'that' meaning, common in speech and texts.

  • Confusing the pronoun 'iyon' with the location 'doon'.

    Iyon ang susi ko.
    Nandoon ang susi ko.

    Use 'iyon' to say 'That is my key' (identifying the object). Use doon to say 'My key is over there' (identifying the location).

How It Connects

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

iyonLevel 1That Over There

Learn This First

To understand 'iyon', you need to be familiar with the 'ang' case system for pronouns and the spatial logic of Filipino demonstratives, which distinguish between proximity to the speaker, the listener, or neither.

Words in This Pattern

iyoniyon