Grammar Lesson 1: Demonstrative Pronouns

                                          credits to:  attanatta of flicker who I borrowed this illustration from

   Consider this situation:  You are walking by the highway and suddenly you see a structure with a Philippine flag raised in the pole in front of this structure.  You are immediately wondering and want to ask someone what place it is, do you know how to ask it in Tagalog? 

Hi guys, our very first grammar lesson is the demonstrative pronouns.  Knowing these pronouns makes it easier for you to get information about objects, places, animals, etc.  

So you want to ask someone:  

What is this?                                       Ano (po) ito?

What is that?                                       Ano (po) iyan?

What is that one over there?               Ano (po) iyon?

Do you know why the 'po' is in parenthesis?  It is because 'po', may or may not be used.  Putting 'po' after the question word makes the question less forward.   In this case, the question word is:

"Ano"  meaning  what. 

More examples:

Child 1:  Ano ito?           What's this?

                                         Child 2:  Lapis 'yan.        That's a pencil.

A native speaker would normally drop the initial vowels when using these demonstrative pronouns.  Just like the 'yan in Child 2's reply.

                                                        Question:  Ano iyan?                 What's that?
                                                Child:       Lobo ito.                   This is a balloon.

                

                                                   Can you guess what they are saying?  Asking?


                        Try practicing these demonstrative pronouns and these questions. 
                                                              

                        Kita tayo sa susunod (See you next time).