alin

Which One

Level 1

Alin is the Filipino word for 'which' or 'which one.' It is used when you are choosing between specific items rather than asking an open-ended question.

How It Works

1. Basic Usage
Alin functions as an interrogative pronoun. When it stands alone, it is often followed by the ang marker to identify the subject of the choice.
Example: Alin ang gusto mo? (Which [one] do you want?)

2. Using the Linker
When alin is followed immediately by a noun, it must use the linker -ng.
Example: Aling sapatos? (Which shoes?)

3. Selecting from a Group
To say 'which of' a group, use the sa marker followed by mga and the noun.
Example: Alin sa mga ito? (Which of these?)

4. Plural Form
If you are asking for multiple items ('which ones'), use reduplication: alin-alin.

5. People vs. Things
While sino is the standard word for 'who,' alin is used for people when you are specifically picking one person out of a defined group (e.g., 'Which of you...?').

Examples (4)

  1. Alin ang mas gusto mo, ito o iyan?

    Which do you like more, this or that?

    Word by Word: Which the more like you, this or that?

    Here, 'alin' is used because the speaker is providing two specific choices (ito and iyan).

  2. Aling kulay ang pipiliin mo?

    Which color will you choose?

    Word by Word: Which-linker color the will-choose you?

    Notice the linker '-ng' attached to 'alin' because it is followed directly by the noun 'kulay'.

  3. Alin sa mga libro ang binasa mo?

    Which of the books did you read?

    Word by Word: Which of the plural book the read you?

    Using 'alin sa mga' is the standard way to ask 'which of the [items]'.

  4. Alin-alin ang mga kukunin natin?

    Which ones are we going to get?

    Word by Word: Which-which the plural will-get we?

    The reduplicated 'alin-alin' indicates that the speaker expects more than one item to be chosen.

Common Mistakes

  • 'Ano' is heard, but 'alin' fits a limited choice.

    Different MeaningAno ang gusto mo, pula o asul?
    Alin ang gusto mo, pula o asul?

    'Ano ang gusto mo, pula o asul?' is understood and heard in speech. When the choices are limited and named, 'alin' (which) is the expected word.

  • Forgetting the linker '-ng' before a noun.

    Alin sapatos ang sa iyo?
    Aling sapatos ang sa iyo?

    When 'alin' modifies a noun directly, it requires the linker '-ng' (or 'na' if the word ends in a consonant other than 'n').

How It Connects

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alinLevel 1Which One

Learn This First

To use 'alin' (which), you need to understand how Filipino forms questions using the zero copula structure, where the question word starts the sentence. You also need to be familiar with the 'ang' marker, as 'alin' is used to identify a specific item out of a set that functions as the focused subject of the sentence.

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alin