sila / nila / kanila
Third-Person Plural Forms
Filipino uses three distinct forms for 'they' depending on the grammatical role: sila (subject), nila (possessor/actor), and kanila (direction/independent possessive).
How It Works
Filipino pronouns are categorized into three case sets:
- Sila (Ang form): Used as the subject or topic. In actor-focus sentences, it represents the ones doing the action. While often used for people, it is also used for objects (e.g., 'Nasaan ang mga susi? Nandoon sila.').
- Nila (Ng form): Used for possession or as the actor in object-focus sentences. As a possessive, it must follow the noun (e.g., 'bahay nila').
- Kanila (Sa form): Used for direction ('to them') or as a standalone possessive. Unlike 'nila', it can come before the noun if you use the linker (e.g., 'kanilang bahay').
Word Order: Sila and nila are enclitic particles, meaning they follow the first word of the sentence. Kanila is not an enclitic and can appear at the start of a sentence.
Politeness: In the respect system, sila is used to address a single person respectfully.
Examples (6)
- Kumakain sila ng hapunan.
They are eating dinner.
Word by Word: Eating they (marker) dinner.
Here, 'sila' is the subject of the actor-focus verb 'kumakain'.
- Bahay nila ito.
This is their house.
Word by Word: House their this.
'Nila' follows the noun 'bahay' to show possession.
- Binili nila ang kotse.
They bought the car.
Word by Word: Bought by-them the car.
In this object-focus sentence, 'nila' is the actor who performed the action.
- Para sa kanila ang regalong ito.
This gift is for them.
Word by Word: For (marker) them the gift this.
'Kanila' is used after 'sa' to indicate the recipient.
- Kanila ang asong iyon.
That dog is theirs.
Word by Word: Theirs the dog that.
'Kanila' acts as an independent possessive at the start of the sentence.
- Sino po sila?
Who are you? (Polite)
Word by Word: Who (respect) they?
Using 'sila' for a single person shows high respect.
Common Mistakes
Confusing 'sila' with 'sina'.
Naglalaro sila Juan at Maria.Naglalaro sina Juan at Maria.'Sila' is a pronoun that replaces names. In speech, 'sila Juan' is common, but standard Filipino uses Sina before actual names.
Incorrect clitic placement of 'nila'.
Hindi nakita ang bata nila.Hindi nila nakita ang bata.'Nila' is an enclitic and must move to the second position, following the negator hindi.
Both word orders are fine.
Different MeaningHindi kanila ito.Hindi ito kanila.Unlike 'sila' and 'nila', 'kanila' is not an enclitic. It does not jump to the second position, so both 'Hindi kanila ito' and 'Hindi ito kanila' are fine.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'sila', 'nila', and 'kanila', a learner must first grasp the three-case pronoun system (ang, ng, and sa) and how these cases function in a sentence. It is also helpful to have already learned the singular third-person forms ('siya', 'niya', 'kaniya') as they provide the structural template for these plural equivalents.
- siya / niya / kaniyaThird-Person Singular Forms
The third-person plural forms follow the same grammatical logic and case distribution as the third-person singular forms.
Level 1 - mgaPlural Marker
The concept of plurality in Filipino nouns and pronouns is foundational to understanding plural person markers.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Three Pronoun Forms
This provides the broader context for how all Filipino pronouns change based on their role in a sentence.
Foundations - sinaPlural Focused Personal Marker
The plural personal marker often confused with the pronoun 'sila'.
Level 1 - Second-Position Words
Explains the specific word order rules that 'sila' and 'nila' must follow.
Foundations - Respect With Po And Pronouns
Explains why 'sila' is sometimes used to refer to just one person.
Foundations
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice sila / nila / kanila in Bubblegum
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