Giving an Instruction
Actor-focus instructions use ka/kayo; relevant non-actor-focus instructions use mo/yo.
How It Works
The lesson grammar states that contemplated verb forms also serve as commands. Actor-focus instructions identify the addressee with -ka for one person or -kayo for several people. Relevant non-actor-focus instructions identify the actor with -mo or -yo, while another participant is selected.
Compare Uminumkayo, ‘Have a drink,’ with Inumenyo daytoy, ‘Drink this.’ The latter selects the drink and identifies the addressees with the agent series. In Itedmo daytoy ken ni Mila, ‘Give this to Mila,’ the transferred item is selected and Mila is the recipient.
Plural second-person forms can also address one person respectfully in polite or formal speech. Context and intonation distinguish commands from statements about contemplated actions. Dependent pronouns attach in modern writing; established contractions must be learned where the host requires them.
Examples (3)
- Uminumkayo.
Have a drink, all of you.
Kayo identifies plural addressees; the same form can address one person respectfully.
- Inumenyo daytoy.
Drink this, all of you.
The drink is selected; yo identifies plural actors or one respectful addressee.
- Itedmo daytoy ken ni Mila.
Give this to Mila.
Mo identifies one actor; daytoy is the selected item and Mila is the recipient.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Use a contemplated form with the actor marking required by its voice.
- kayo / daPlural and Respectful Subjects
Recognize dependent kayo as plural or respectful you before reading the actor-focus instruction Uminumkayo.
Level 1 - Actor Forms -ko / -mo / -naNaming the Actor of a Patient-Focus Verb
Recognize the noncentral actor role of -mo before reading instructions that select an item instead of the actor. The instruction lesson separately teaches plural or respectful -yo.
Level 2
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Giving an Instruction in Bubblegum
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