Three Pronoun Forms

Filipino uses a system called Austronesian alignment. This means the verb 'points' to one part of the sentence as the focus. The pronoun you choose must match that focus.

• Ang-form (Direct/Absolutive): Used for the 'trigger' or topic. If you are the one doing the action in an actor-focus sentence, you use a form like ako. Note that ikaw is an independent pronoun used when it is the predicate, standing alone, or placed at the beginning of a sentence (such as before 'ay'), while its counterpart ka is an enclitic pronoun that must immediately follow the first word of the phrase and can never start a sentence.
• Ng-form (Genitive/Ergative): Used for possession (like 'my') or as the actor when the verb focuses on the object. For example, ko. Like most Ang-form pronouns, Ng-form pronouns are enclitics that follow the first word of the phrase. A special portmanteau, kita, is used specifically to mean 'I [do something to] you,' replacing the underlying sequence 'ko ka'.
• Sa-form (Oblique/Locative/Possessive): Used for directions, locations, to show possession with emphasis (like 'mine'), and as the direct object (patient) in actor-focus sentences. However, because personal pronouns are inherently definite, Tagalog strongly prefers switching to an object-focus verb rather than using a Sa-form pronoun as an object. Using an actor-focus verb with a Sa-form pronoun often changes the meaning to a directional one (e.g., 'to/from him'). These are never enclitics and can freely appear at the start of a phrase.

Pronoun Reference Matrix:

Key Features to Remember:

• Gender Neutrality: Third-person pronouns (siya, niya, kaniya) are entirely gender-neutral, meaning they can translate to he, she, or it.
• The 'We' Distinction: tayo (inclusive) includes the listener, while kami (exclusive) excludes them.
• Respectful Pronouns: Plural pronouns like kayo, ninyo, inyo (and sometimes sila, nila, kanila) are frequently used alongside po to address or refer to a single respected person.
• Enclitic Ordering: Most Ang and Ng pronouns are enclitics (second-position words). Under the 'Monosyllabic Rule,' short pronouns (ko, mo, ka) always precede other particles like ba or na, while longer pronouns (siya, kami, tayo) follow them. Furthermore, when two disyllabic (two-syllable) pronouns appear together, the Ng-form always precedes the Ang-form (e.g., 'Nakita niya ako').