BrixBloks Grammar Apps

The neutral pattern many beginners learn is Verb–Subject–Object: Umiinom ako ng kape. The verb shows who is doing the action, so the subject pronoun can move. You will also see Subject–Verb patterns like Ako ay umiinom ng kape, but for now you can think: verb first, then the rest.

Memory tip: As a starter model, put the verb first: [verb] + ako/siya/sila + object. You can survive a lot of conversations with this simple pattern.

To talk about more than one thing, put mga before the noun: bahay → mga bahay, kaibigan → mga kaibigan. You do not need to change the ending of the noun. Sometimes there is also reduplication (bata → mga bata), but learners can simply focus on mga + noun.

Memory tip: When you learn a new noun, say it once in the singular and once with mga: bahay / mga bahay, kaibigan / mga kaibigan.

Ang marks a focus noun: ang bahay, ang libro. Si is used before personal names: si Maria, si Pedro. The word isang (literally 'one') often works like 'a/an': isang libro, isang kotse. The same noun can be translated as 'a house' or 'the house' depending on context.

Memory tip: Remember three very common words: ang (for things), si (for names), and isang (for 'a/an'). You will see them everywhere in simple sentences.

You can put the possessor after the noun: ang libro ko (my book), ang telepono mo (your phone), ang bahay niya (his/her house). With names, use ni or nina: bahay ni Ana, mga anak nina Pedro at Ana.

Memory tip: Memorise the short forms: ko (my), mo (your), niya (his/her), natin (our, inclusive), namin (our, exclusive), ninyo (your, plural), nila (their).

To make a yes/no question, add ba after the focus word: Umiinom ka ba ng kape? Kumakain ba siya? Wh-questions start with a question word such as saan (where), ano (what), kailan (when), bakit (why), paano (how). The rest of the sentence follows normal patterns.

Memory tip: Start by memorising a few chunks: Saan ka…?, Ano ang…?, Kailan ka…? Then you just change the last verb or noun.

Put hindi before the verb or adjective: Hindi ako umiinom ng kape, Hindi siya pagod. Use wala instead of may when something does not exist: Wala akong pera (I have no money), Wala siyang trabaho.

Memory tip: First say the positive sentence in your head, then simply drop hindi in front of the verb or adjective.

Instead of saying 'I am a student', you say Estudyante ako. Instead of 'The house is big', you say Malaki ang bahay. Sometimes you see the linking word ay: Ako ay estudyante. For beginners it is enough to remember that there is no stand-alone 'to be' word.

Memory tip: Think: [description] + ang/si + [thing/person]. There is no 'am/is/are' in the middle.

Sa marks places: sa bahay (at home), sa opisina (at the office), sa mesa (on the table). Nasa is used when saying where something is: Nasa mesa ang libro. More specific phrases combine sa with other words: sa ilalim ng (under), sa tabi ng (beside).

Memory tip: Learn a few fixed chunks: sa bahay, sa trabaho, sa eskwela, sa mesa, sa ilalim ng kama. They are extremely common.

Many adjectives take a linking particle na or -ng when used before a noun: malaking bahay (big house), maliit na kwarto (small room), magandang kotse (beautiful car). After the noun, adjectives can also appear in simple 'to be' type sentences: Malaki ang bahay.

Memory tip: When learning new adjectives, store them as pairs with a noun: magandang araw, mahabang pila, mahinang ulan.

Many action verbs use nag- in the past: Nagtrabaho ako kahapon (I worked yesterday), Nag-aral kami kagabi (We studied last night). Others use um-: Kumain siya ng kanin (He/She ate rice). The focus system is rich, but you can start by copying these common models.

Memory tip: When you learn a new verb, collect three forms: present, past and future. Even just one example sentence for each helps a lot.

For many mag- verbs the future repeats the first syllable: magtrabaho → magtatrabaho ako bukas (I will work tomorrow), mag-aral → mag-aaral kami mamaya. For um- verbs you also see reduplication: kumain → kakain, pumunta → pupunta. A time word like bukas (tomorrow) or mamaya (later) makes the future meaning clear.

Memory tip: Attach a future time word to your sentence (bukas, mamaya, sa Lunes). That way even if the verb form is not perfect, people still understand you.

These words go before the verb or take the linker -ng/na plus a verb: Puwede akong magtanong? (Can I ask a question?), Kailangan kong magtrabaho (I need to work), Gusto kong matulog (I want to sleep). The small word kong/ka-ng links the modal to the next verb.

Memory tip: Practise three starters: Puwede akong…, Kailangan kong…, Gusto kong…. Then swap in useful verbs like mag-aral, magtrabaho, magpahinga.

To compare two things use mas + adjective + kaysa/sa: Mas malaki ang bahay na ito kaysa doon. For the superlative, use pinaka-: Siya ang pinakamaganda, Ito ang pinakamurang option.

Memory tip: Keep two words in mind: mas (more) and pinaka- (most). Add them to common adjectives like maganda, malaki, mahal, mura.

To tell someone to do something, use forms like Kumain ka! (Eat!), Pumunta ka rito! (Come here!), Umupo ka, please (Sit down, please). For plural, use kayo: Kumain kayo!, Pakinggan n'yo ako! The prefix paki- makes a request sound softer: Pakibukas ang pinto.

Memory tip: Learn a small set of everyday commands you will really use: Halika!, Umupo ka!, Maghintay ka!, Pakinggan mo ako!, Pakibukas/Pakisara.