ito

This Near Me

Level 1

Ito is the Filipino word for 'this'. It is used to point to objects or ideas that are physically close to the person speaking.

How It Works

1. As a Standalone Pronoun
Ito can stand alone as the subject or topic of a sentence. In the common predicate-first structure, it often appears at the end.
Example: Ano ito? (What is this?)

2. Formal Inversion
In formal writing or speech, you may see the ay inversion where ito comes first.
Example: Ito ay susi. (This is a key.)

3. As a Determiner (Adjective)
When ito describes a specific noun, it uses the linker. When ito comes first, it takes the -ng form because it ends in a vowel. When the noun comes first, the linker depends on the noun's ending.

  • Itong + Noun: Itong libro (This book)
  • Noun + linker + ito: Librong ito (This book) / Bulaklak na ito (This flower)

4. Pluralizing 'This'
To say 'these', you can use the plural marker in several ways:

  • Itong mga susi (These keys)
  • Mga susing ito (These keys) - Note: This requires a case marker like ang when used in a sentence (e.g., Akin ang mga susing ito).
  • Ang mga ito (These) - Note: When standing alone as a plural pronoun, it needs the ang marker (e.g., Ano ang mga ito?).
  • Itong mga ito (These ones here) - A highly common colloquial way to say 'these'.

5. Contractions and Variations
In both speech and modern writing, ito is frequently shortened to 'to (e.g., Sino 'to?). Additionally, do not confuse ito with eto (or heto). While ito identifies an object, heto is used to point out the existence or location of something, or when handing an object to someone (e.g., Heto ang susi - Here is the key).

Examples (6)

  1. Ito ang susi.

    This is the key.

    Word by Word: This [marker] key.

    Here, 'ito' acts as the topic of the sentence.

  2. Gusto ko itong kape.

    I like this coffee.

    Word by Word: Want I this-linker coffee.

    When 'ito' modifies 'kape', the linker '-ng' is attached to make 'itong'.

  3. Ano ba 'to?

    What is this?

    Word by Word: What [question marker] this?

    A very common casual phrase using the contraction ''to'.

  4. Itong mga libro ay bago.

    These books are new.

    Word by Word: This-linker [plural marker] book [marker] new.

    To make 'ito' plural (these), use the plural marker after the demonstrative and linker.

  5. Eto ang bayad ko.

    Here is my payment.

    Word by Word: Here [marker] payment my.

    While 'ito' means 'this', 'eto' (or 'heto') is specifically used when handing something to someone or pointing to something right in front of you.

  6. Masarap itong mangga.

    This mango is delicious.

    Word by Word: Delicious this-linker mango.

    The adjective 'masarap' describes the topic 'itong mangga'.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the linker when using 'ito' as an adjective.

    Gusto ko ito damit.
    Gusto ko itong damit.

    In Filipino, demonstratives need the linker 'na/-ng' to connect to the noun they modify.

  • Using 'ito' for things near the listener.

    Ito ba ang hawak mo?
    Iyan ba ang hawak mo?

    If the object is near the person you are talking to, you should use 'iyan' instead of 'ito'.

  • Confusing 'ito' (topic) with 'nito' (object/possessive).

    Kumuha ka ito.
    Kumuha ka nito.

    When 'this' is the object of a verb (and not the focus), you must use the ng-form 'nito'.

How It Connects

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itoLevel 1This Near Me

Learn This First

To understand 'ito', you need to be familiar with how the 'ang' marker identifies the focus of a sentence and how Filipino sentences can link a subject and predicate without using a verb like 'is' (zero copula).

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