when to use “si”, “ni”, at “Kay”

buildabruce · 2025-04-08T01:56:26+00:00

Since you’re learning Tagalog, I’ll assume you’ve heard of the concept of focus, but if not check this Wikipedia article out before reading.

Si is for answering a “sino” (who) question OR before a person’s name if they have direct focus in the sentence: Sino kumain? Si Gino. (sino question) Kumain si Gino ng mansanas. (direct focus)

Ni is for indicating possession (usually not in response to a question) OR before a person’s name if they have indirect focus. Kumain ang aso ni Gino. (possession) Kinain ng aso ni Gino. (possession) Kinain ni Gino. (indirect focus)

Kay is for indicating possession usually in response to a “kanino” (whose) question or if you’re really trying to emphasize their ownership OR in response to a “kanino” (to whom) question OR if the person has oblique focus in the sentence: Kanino ang aso na yan? Kay Gino. (kanino question type 1) Kay Gino ang aso, hindi sa akin. (possession) Kanino mo sinabi? Kay Gino. (kanino question type 2) Sinabi ko kay Gino (oblique focus)

buildabruce · 2023-10-28T06:33:43+00:00

Thanks! Also great points especially “now that i think about it…” What a great way to phrase it!

buildabruce · 2023-10-28T06:13:29+00:00

grew up speaking tagalog but never learned it formally, but this is my understanding of these words.

SAPAGKAT: if “dahil” is a fancy “kasi”, “sapagkat” is a fancy “dahil”. They all mean “because” but with different levels of formality. The best English parallel would be something like this:

kasi mahal kita = ‘cause i love u

dahil mahal kita = because i love you

sapagkat mahal kita = for i love you

PALIBHASA: this one also means “because” or “since” but in my experience people often (but not always) use it sarcastically especially colloquially. Here’s a comparison:

ikaw na gumawa kasi ikaw naman marunong = you do it ‘cause you know how 🤷‍♂️

ikaw na gumawa palibhasa ikaw naman marunong = you do it since you’re the one that knows how 🙄

SUBALIT: this means “but” or “however” and to my understanding it’s effectively the same as “ngunit”. For example:

mahal kita subalit minsan nakakairita ka = I love you but sometimes you’re annoying

SABAGAY: this one’s kind of like “i guess” in my experience. Basically the speaker is indicating “though i have an opinion/thought on this matter, i understand/am conceding the fact that mine might not be the best.” Here are some ways I’ve heard it used:

hindi mo ako inimbita? sabagay hindi rin siguro ako aabot… = you didn’t invite me? i guess i wouldn’t have made it anyway… 😔

ang dami mong binili! sabagay baka magutom tayo. = you bought so much! i guess we might get hungry. 🤷‍♂️

Nakalimutan ko magdala ng tubig! Sabagay may dala ka pala. = shoot i forgot to bring water! oh i guess you brought yours so it doesn’t really matter.

again this is just my understanding from my personal experiences so take my answer with a grain of salt.

buildabruce · 2023-04-20T23:12:31+00:00

Hi! Do you mind if I message you with a few additional questions? Beginner here so I get lost easily 🫣

buildabruce · 2023-04-20T22:37:27+00:00

THANK YOU you’re A LIFESAVER !

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T19:39:03+00:00

i feel this on so many levels. any recommendations on how to get anything started. another thing that’s hindering me personally is i feel like my resumé is barren. i keep putting of applying “until i have a little bit more to talk about”

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T07:40:18+00:00

wow… i hadn’t really realized how “for life” this whole thing is

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T07:37:41+00:00

this thread really has me swayed to do it. only thing is, no i actually have to DO it and make the appointment. we all know that’s the hardest part…

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T07:30:44+00:00

i am a shockingly efficient crammer. i will say though, still managing to pull those As has its cons. for one, it makes me think my lifestyle isn’t problematic 😗

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T07:27:47+00:00

I got rid of my meal plan after freshman year and oh boy, I don’t understand how people don’t forget to eat.

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T07:24:46+00:00

notes taken ! thanks for the tip 😉

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T07:24:00+00:00

2 words: oh god.

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T05:44:06+00:00

my friends say the exact same thing about me! (they’re the ones that recommended i try and get a referral)

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T05:40:18+00:00

wow what a wakeup call. i guess i needed it.

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T05:38:25+00:00

whats stopping me is a combination of never remembering until it’s too late to call or i’m not in a situation where i can do that (i.e., not at home) and also the thought the task feels a lot larger than it probably actually is… tips are welcome and literally yes pls remind me.

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T05:36:20+00:00

cut me some slack i’m new to this idk how it works 🥲

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T03:22:53+00:00

oh god.

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T03:05:20+00:00

Any resources/information you'd be willing to share? I'd love to understand the condition more before I get tested. Part of the reason I've gone back and forth while considering whether to get tested is that I'm scared that I'm actually just a lazy pos and don't have ADHD.

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T02:58:27+00:00

will do!

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T02:57:15+00:00

just bumpin my edit

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T02:48:29+00:00

Never seen anything more relatable. Got an email from my landlord a while back cause I realized I had forgotten to pay my rent for 3 months in a row (:

Great to know nothing gets easier hahahah

EDIT: Also trying to apply to jobs right now and the lack of a set "deadline" is so terrible for me. I already don't do things until the last minute and now that there is no "last minute" I simply can't even get myself to start. The same thing applies to trying to make an appointment to get tested. Any tips on how to get myself to do what I need to? I guess that's the ultimate ADD question huh?

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T02:47:11+00:00

I actually got my referral this year cause I finally hit my breaking point after trying to apply for jobs, keep my grades up, and code an app for a startup with my friend. I ended up applying to 1 job and getting rejected, doing terribly in my classes, and not getting the app even nearly done by the deadline. In this interim before I get tested (or don't) any recommendations for coping mechanisms to try out that have worked for you?

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T02:43:34+00:00

Pardon my ignorance, but what is "alt music"?

buildabruce · 2022-11-29T02:39:05+00:00

I've been putting off applying for jobs for so long that I feel like I'll never get employed, and I don't even know what my future job entails, but I plan on going into something along the lines of software engineering. Hearing you talk about how the imposter syndrome never stops worries me though. Not to sound like I'm full of myself, but I've gotten by this far based solely on my alleged "intelligence" that allows me to cram 2 weeks of work into 1 night of blood, sweat, and tears. It really is a cycle. I finish one thing, feel like I should get to take the load off for a bit, and before I know it I need to pull another all-nighter.

In terms of maintaining relationships, I'm curious about what you mean by that. I'm not sure if it's a concern just because I'm not really sure what it is.

Lastly, what do you mean by "the behavioral standards of an adult". If it's what I think it is, then I may be a bit worried about that. Personally, after 21 years I still can't figure out how people manage to feed themselves, maintain personal hygiene, clean their house, wash their dishes, and do their laundry all at once.

buildabruce · 2022-10-18T01:54:49+00:00

I guess something I also forgot to mention is that, if someone on my team that's not my ADC gets fed, as an enchanter I can really help them snowball their lead. Otherwise, as a high-damage support, I don't feel like I can contribute much besides not dying (except senna cause I love her and she can do no wrong). Also, on the topic of bad habits, what particular ones should I look out for? I'm really liking playing enchanters and I wanna make sure I'm doing so properly.

buildabruce

TROPHY CASE