In Tagalog, the English word "their" is expressed primarily through two forms: nila and kanila. These possessive pronouns indicate that something belongs to or is associated with a third-person plural entity (them/they). Understanding the distinction between these two forms is crucial for English speakers learning Tagalog, as the choice depends on the grammatical position within the sentence.
Definition: "Their" in Tagalog refers to possession or association with multiple people who are not the speaker or the person being addressed. The form nila is used when it follows the possessed object (post-positive), while kanila (or its shortened form kanilang) is used when it precedes the possessed object (pre-positive).
Question: What does "their" mean in Tagalog? Answer: "Their" in Tagalog is expressed as "nila" (post-positive) or "kanila/kanilang" (pre-positive), both meaning possession by third-person plural entities.
In this lesson, you'll encounter "their" in various contexts showing possession, relationships, and associations. The examples demonstrate both nila and kanila forms in natural sentences, helping you understand when to use each form based on word order preferences in Tagalog.
Course: Tagalog for English Speakers Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Possessive Pronouns - "Their" Learning Objective: Master the use of nila and kanila in various contexts Content Type: Language Learning Material
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Tagalog has two main forms for "their": nila (post-positive) and kanila/kanilang (pre-positive) -
Nila follows the possessed noun: "bahay nila" (their house) -
Kanilang precedes the possessed noun: "kanilang bahay" (their house) -
Both forms mean the same thing but differ in word order -
The choice between forms often depends on emphasis and sentence flow
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46.1 Ang the kanilang their bahay house ay is malaki big
46.2 Kinuha took nila they ang the libro book nila their kahapon yesterday
46.3 Masarap delicious ang the pagkain food nila their
46.4 Pupunta will-go kami we sa to kanilang their paaralan school bukas tomorrow
46.5 Nawala lost ang the aso dog nila their sa in parke park
46.6 Binasa read ko I ang the kanilang their sulat letter kagabi last-night
46.7 Mga plural kaibigan friends nila their ang the dumating arrived
46.8 Kumakain eating sila they ng of hapunan dinner sa at bahay house nila their
46.9 Maganda beautiful ang the kanilang their hardin garden sa in likod back
46.10 Binili bought nila they ang the kotse car para for sa to anak child nila their
46.11 Nagtrabaho worked ang the tatay father nila their sa in Maynila Manila
46.12 Malinis clean ang the kanilang their mga plural kwarto rooms
46.13 Nagluto cooked ang the nanay mother nila their ng of adobo adobo
46.14 Nakita saw namin we ang the bagong new bahay house nila their
46.15 Ipinagdiwang celebrated nila they ang the kanilang their kaarawan birthday nang when sabay-sabay together
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46.1 Ang kanilang bahay ay malaki. Their house is big.
46.2 Kinuha nila ang libro nila kahapon. They took their book yesterday.
46.3 Masarap ang pagkain nila. Their food is delicious.
46.4 Pupunta kami sa kanilang paaralan bukas. We will go to their school tomorrow.
46.5 Nawala ang aso nila sa parke. Their dog got lost in the park.
46.6 Binasa ko ang kanilang sulat kagabi. I read their letter last night.
46.7 Mga kaibigan nila ang dumating. Their friends arrived.
46.8 Kumakain sila ng hapunan sa bahay nila. They are eating dinner at their house.
46.9 Maganda ang kanilang hardin sa likod. Their garden in the back is beautiful.
46.10 Binili nila ang kotse para sa anak nila. They bought the car for their child.
46.11 Nagtrabaho ang tatay nila sa Maynila. Their father worked in Manila.
46.12 Malinis ang kanilang mga kwarto. Their rooms are clean.
46.13 Nagluto ang nanay nila ng adobo. Their mother cooked adobo.
46.14 Nakita namin ang bagong bahay nila. We saw their new house.
46.15 Ipinagdiwang nila ang kanilang kaarawan nang sabay-sabay. They celebrated their birthdays together.
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46.1 Ang kanilang bahay ay malaki.
46.2 Kinuha nila ang libro nila kahapon.
46.3 Masarap ang pagkain nila.
46.4 Pupunta kami sa kanilang paaralan bukas.
46.5 Nawala ang aso nila sa parke.
46.6 Binasa ko ang kanilang sulat kagabi.
46.7 Mga kaibigan nila ang dumating.
46.8 Kumakain sila ng hapunan sa bahay nila.
46.9 Maganda ang kanilang hardin sa likod.
46.10 Binili nila ang kotse para sa anak nila.
46.11 Nagtrabaho ang tatay nila sa Maynila.
46.12 Malinis ang kanilang mga kwarto.
46.13 Nagluto ang nanay nila ng adobo.
46.14 Nakita namin ang bagong bahay nila.
46.15 Ipinagdiwang nila ang kanilang kaarawan nang sabay-sabay.
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The possessive pronoun "their" in Tagalog has two primary forms that English speakers must master:
1. NILA (Post-positive Form) -
Placed AFTER the noun it modifies -
Structure: [Noun] + nila -
Example: bahay nila (house their = their house) -
More common in everyday speech
2. KANILA/KANILANG (Pre-positive Form) -
Placed BEFORE the noun it modifies -
Kanilang is used when directly attached to a noun -
Kanila is the standalone form -
Structure: kanilang + [Noun] -
Example: kanilang bahay (their house) -
Often used for emphasis or in formal contexts
Step 1: Identify what is being possessed (the noun) Step 2: Decide on emphasis and formality level Step 3: Choose between post-positive (nila) or pre-positive (kanilang) Step 4: Apply the correct word order
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Using "nila" before the noun -
WRONG: nila bahay -
CORRECT: bahay nila OR kanilang bahay -
Forgetting to use "kanilang" (with -ng) when preceding a noun -
WRONG: kanila bahay -
CORRECT: kanilang bahay -
Double possession marking -
WRONG: kanilang bahay nila -
CORRECT: kanilang bahay OR bahay nila -
Confusing "nila" (their) with "sila" (they) -
Nila = possessive (their) -
Sila = pronoun (they)
Unlike English, which has only one form "their," Tagalog requires you to choose based on word order. English always places "their" before the noun, while Tagalog offers flexibility with semantic implications: -
English: their house (fixed order) -
Tagalog: bahay nila (neutral) OR kanilang bahay (emphatic/formal)
Post-positive forms (after the noun): -
ko (my) -
mo (your-singular) -
niya (his/her) -
natin/namin (our) -
ninyo (your-plural) -
nila (their)
Pre-positive forms (before the noun): -
aking (my) -
iyong (your-singular) -
kanyang (his/her) -
ating/aming (our) -
inyong (your-plural) -
kanilang (their)
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Understanding "their" in Tagalog requires appreciating Filipino cultural values around collective ownership and family relationships. In Filipino culture, possession is often viewed more communally than in Western contexts.
Family Possessions: When Filipinos say "bahay nila" (their house), it often refers to an extended family home where multiple generations live together. This reflects the strong family ties in Philippine society.
Respectful Reference: Using "kanilang" instead of "nila" can show respect, especially when referring to elders' possessions or formal institutions. For example, "kanilang opisina" (their office) sounds more formal than "opisina nila."
Shared Ownership: The concept of "their" in Filipino culture often implies shared responsibility and communal use, particularly within family contexts. Children might refer to "bahay nila" even after marriage, acknowledging continued family connection.
Regional Variations: Some regions prefer post-positive forms (nila) in casual speech, while formal Manila Tagalog might use more pre-positive forms (kanilang) in media and education.
Politeness Levels: The choice between forms can indicate social distance. Using "kanilang" might show deference to people of higher status or age, while "nila" is more familiar and casual.
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Source: From "Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang" by Severino Reyes
Original Text: "Ang kanilang tahanan ay puno ng saya at pagmamahalan. Hindi nila kailanman nakalimutan ang mga aral ng kanilang mga magulang. Sa bawat pagdiriwang, lagi nilang inaalala ang kanilang pinagmulan."
Ang the kanilang their tahanan home ay is puno full ng of saya joy at and pagmamahalan love. Hindi not nila they kailanman ever nakalimutan forgot ang the mga plural aral lessons ng of kanilang their mga plural magulang parents. Sa in bawat every pagdiriwang celebration, lagi always nilang they inaalala remember ang the kanilang their pinagmulan origins.
Ang kanilang tahanan ay puno ng saya at pagmamahalan. Hindi nila kailanman nakalimutan ang mga aral ng kanilang mga magulang. Sa bawat pagdiriwang, lagi nilang inaalala ang kanilang pinagmulan.
Their home is full of joy and love. They never forgot the lessons of their parents. In every celebration, they always remember their origins.
Ang kanilang tahanan ay puno ng saya at pagmamahalan. Hindi nila kailanman nakalimutan ang mga aral ng kanilang mga magulang. Sa bawat pagdiriwang, lagi nilang inaalala ang kanilang pinagmulan.
This passage beautifully demonstrates the use of both "kanilang" and "nila": -
"kanilang tahanan" - Pre-positive form emphasizing "their home" as a cherished place -
"hindi nila... nakalimutan" - Post-positive form in a negative construction -
"kanilang mga magulang" - Pre-positive form showing respect for parents -
"nilang inaalala" - Contracted form of "nila" + linker "ng" before a verb -
"kanilang pinagmulan" - Pre-positive form emphasizing heritage
The alternation between forms creates rhythm and emphasis, showing how native speakers naturally vary their usage for stylistic effect.
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46.16 Dumating arrived ang the kanilang their mga plural kamag-anak relatives mula from sa in probinsya province
46.17 Inihanda prepared nila they ang the kanilang their pinakamasarap most-delicious na that pagkain food
46.18 Ang the mga plural bata children ay are naglalaro playing sa in kanilang their malaking big bakuran yard
46.19 Kinukuwentuhan telling-stories nila they ang the kanilang their mga plural alaala memories noong when kabataan youth
46.20 Ipinakita showed ng by lola grandmother nila their ang the kanilang their lumang old mga plural larawan pictures
46.21 Masaya happy silang they kumanta sang ng of kanilang their paboritong favorite mga plural awit songs
46.22 Nagluto cooked ang the tiya aunt nila their ng of kanilang their tradisyonal traditional na that putahe dish
46.23 Binuksan opened nila they ang the kanilang their mga plural regalo gifts nang when sabay-sabay together
46.24 Nagtawanan laughed sila they habang while pinapanood watching ang the video video nila their noong when bata young pa still
46.25 Umiyak cried ang the bunso youngest nila their nang when makita saw ang the kanilang their yumao deceased nang already lolo grandfather
46.26 Nag-abot gave sila they ng of kanilang their mga plural donasyon donations para for sa to simbahan church
46.27 Pinasalamatan thanked nila they ang the kanilang their mga plural magulang parents sa for lahat all
46.28 Nangako promised silang they uulit repeat ang the kanilang their pagtitipon gathering sa in susunod next na that taon year
46.29 Nag-selfie took-selfie sila they sa at harap front ng of kanilang their lumang old bahay house
46.30 Umalis left ang the mga plural bisita visitors nila their nang when may with ngiti smile sa on kanilang their mga plural labi lips
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46.16 Dumating ang kanilang mga kamag-anak mula sa probinsya. Their relatives arrived from the province.
46.17 Inihanda nila ang kanilang pinakamasarap na pagkain. They prepared their most delicious food.
46.18 Ang mga bata ay naglalaro sa kanilang malaking bakuran. The children are playing in their big yard.
46.19 Kinukuwentuhan nila ang kanilang mga alaala noong kabataan. They are sharing their memories from youth.
46.20 Ipinakita ng lola nila ang kanilang lumang mga larawan. Their grandmother showed their old pictures.
46.21 Masaya silang kumanta ng kanilang paboritong mga awit. They happily sang their favorite songs.
46.22 Nagluto ang tiya nila ng kanilang tradisyonal na putahe. Their aunt cooked their traditional dish.
46.23 Binuksan nila ang kanilang mga regalo nang sabay-sabay. They opened their gifts together.
46.24 Nagtawanan sila habang pinapanood ang video nila noong bata pa. They laughed while watching their video from when they were young.
46.25 Umiyak ang bunso nila nang makita ang kanilang yumaong lolo. Their youngest cried when seeing their deceased grandfather.
46.26 Nag-abot sila ng kanilang mga donasyon para sa simbahan. They gave their donations for the church.
46.27 Pinasalamatan nila ang kanilang mga magulang sa lahat. They thanked their parents for everything.
46.28 Nangako silang uulit ang kanilang pagtitipon sa susunod na taon. They promised to repeat their gathering next year.
46.29 Nag-selfie sila sa harap ng kanilang lumang bahay. They took a selfie in front of their old house.
46.30 Umalis ang mga bisita nila nang may ngiti sa kanilang mga labi. Their visitors left with smiles on their lips.
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46.16 Dumating ang kanilang mga kamag-anak mula sa probinsya.
46.17 Inihanda nila ang kanilang pinakamasarap na pagkain.
46.18 Ang mga bata ay naglalaro sa kanilang malaking bakuran.
46.19 Kinukuwentuhan nila ang kanilang mga alaala noong kabataan.
46.20 Ipinakita ng lola nila ang kanilang lumang mga larawan.
46.21 Masaya silang kumanta ng kanilang paboritong mga awit.
46.22 Nagluto ang tiya nila ng kanilang tradisyonal na putahe.
46.23 Binuksan nila ang kanilang mga regalo nang sabay-sabay.
46.24 Nagtawanan sila habang pinapanood ang video nila noong bata pa.
46.25 Umiyak ang bunso nila nang makita ang kanilang yumaong lolo.
46.26 Nag-abot sila ng kanilang mga donasyon para sa simbahan.
46.27 Pinasalamatan nila ang kanilang mga magulang sa lahat.
46.28 Nangako silang uulit ang kanilang pagtitipon sa susunod na taon.
46.29 Nag-selfie sila sa harap ng kanilang lumang bahay.
46.30 Umalis ang mga bisita nila nang may ngiti sa kanilang mga labi.
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1. Kinship Terms with Possessives When referring to family members, both "nila" and "kanilang" are commonly used: -
lola nila (their grandmother) - more casual -
kanilang lola (their grandmother) - more formal/respectful
2. Multiple Possession Notice how some sentences show possession within possession: -
"ang video nila noong bata pa" (their video from when young) -
"ang kanilang yumaong lolo" (their deceased grandfather)
3. Collective Actions with Possessives Family gatherings often involve collective ownership and actions: -
"kanilang pagtitipon" (their gathering) - emphasizes unity -
"kanilang mga regalo" (their gifts) - shared gift-giving
4. Emotional Contexts Pre-positive "kanilang" often appears in emotional or significant contexts: -
"kanilang mga alaala" (their memories) -
"kanilang lumang bahay" (their old house)
5. The Linker "na" When "kanilang" is followed by an adjective + noun, use "na": -
kanilang masarap na pagkain (their delicious food) -
kanilang lumang bahay (their old house)
Common Patterns in Family Narratives: -
Past tense verbs + nila (they did something) -
Descriptive phrases with kanilang (their special things) -
Emotional moments emphasizing possession
Cultural Note: In family gathering contexts, Filipinos often alternate between "nila" and "kanilang" to create warmth and emphasis, reflecting the importance of family bonds in Philippine culture.
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These lessons are part of a comprehensive language learning system developed by the Latinum Institute, designed specifically for autodidacts (self-directed learners). Drawing from the methodology detailed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, these materials employ several key pedagogical approaches:
The Construed Text Method: Following classical language teaching traditions, each lesson presents interlinear translations that allow learners to see the exact correspondence between Tagalog and English. This granular approach, refined over centuries of language pedagogy, enables learners to build vocabulary and grasp grammatical structures simultaneously.
Structured Progression: Each lesson follows a consistent format: -
Introduction with clear learning objectives -
Interlinear text (Section A) for detailed word-by-word understanding -
Complete sentences (Section B) for contextual comprehension -
Target language only (Section C) for immersion practice -
Comprehensive grammar explanations (Section D) tailored for English speakers -
Cultural context (Section E) for deeper understanding -
Authentic literary excerpts (Section F) for real-world application -
Genre-specific sections for practical usage
Autodidact-Friendly Design: These lessons are specifically crafted for independent study, with: -
Clear explanations without assuming prior knowledge -
Multiple presentations of the same material for reinforcement -
Cultural and linguistic comparisons to aid understanding -
Common mistakes sections to prevent typical errors
About the Curator: Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London) has been creating online language learning materials since 2006. His work with the Latinum Institute has helped thousands of autodidacts successfully learn languages through carefully structured, self-paced materials.
Reviews and Testimonials: The effectiveness of these methods is reflected in user reviews at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
Additional Resources: For more lessons and detailed methodology explanations, visit: -
Method explanation: latinum.substack.com/method -
Course index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
These lessons represent a modern application of time-tested language learning principles, making authentic language acquisition accessible to dedicated self-learners worldwide.
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