Close
 


Shortened Forms of Questions

Mark Complete

Contracting words in an interrogative sentence is also a noticeable speaking habit in Filipino. If you remember the lessons on ligatures and pronouns, you'll see that rules about shortened forms also apply in interrogative sentences.

Recall the rules about shortened forms of pronouns.
- "itó" becomes "'to"
- "iyán" becomes "'yan"%%%
- "iyón" becomes "'yon"

Also, try to recall rules about word connectives/ligatures.
- use of suffix ligature "-ng" and "-g" to connect the word ligature "na" to the modifier

In the following example, you will see how the interrogative sentences are shortened by connecting the article "ang" to the Filipino question words "anó," "sino," and "kanino". To further shorten the interrogative sentences, the subject is dropped, but is still represented by the pronouns and a particular action that points to it. Notice that the suffix is also dropped from the question word.

Anó
Markup
Examples:
What is that building?
Anó ang gusaling iyón? Play audio #5725
What is that building?
Anóng gusali 'yón? Play audio #8644
What is that? (pointing at the building)
Anó 'yon? Play audio #8645
Markup
Examples:
What is that building?
Ano ang gusaling iyon? Play audio #5725
What is that building?
Anong gusali 'yon? Play audio #8644
What is that? (pointing at the building)
Ano 'yon? Play audio #8645
Sino
Markup
Examples:
Who is that celebrity?
Sino ang artistang iyón? Play audio #5720
Who is that celebrity?
Sinong artista 'yon? Play audio #5719
Who is that? (pointing at the celebrity)
Sino 'yon? Play audio #5718
Markup
Examples:
Who is that celebrity?
Sino ang artistang iyon? Play audio #5720
Who is that celebrity?
Sinong artista 'yon? Play audio #5719
Who is that? (pointing at the celebrity)
Sino 'yon? Play audio #5718
Kanino
Markup
Examples:
Whose wristwatch is this?
Kanino ang relóng itó? Play audio #5717
Whose wristwatch is this?
Kaninong reló 'to? Play audio #5716
Whose is this? (holding the wristwatch)
Kanino 'to? Play audio #5715
Markup
Examples:
Whose wristwatch is this?
Kanino ang relong ito? Play audio #5717
Whose wristwatch is this?
Kaninong relo 'to? Play audio #5716
Whose is this? (holding the wristwatch)
Kanino 'to? Play audio #5715

Mark Complete

Next: Shortened Forms of Questions Transcription Drill

Section Home:
Filipino Words to Use When Asking Questions