Page 144 - Tagalog for Beginners: An Introduction to Filipino, the National Language of the Philippines

Itininda/Tininda Itinitinda/Tinitinda Ititinda

Let’s use these verbs in sentences.
EXAMPLES : Saging ang binili niya.

yesterday (literally, Banana marker bought she.)
Prutas ang binibili niya.
every day (literally, Fruit marker buys she.)

Mangga ang bibilhin niya.
tomorrow (literally, Mango marker will buy she.)

II. The Word Yata
In the dialogue you read, you may have noticed the use of yata by Juan:

JUAN : Mawalang galang na ho, kulang ho yata ang sukli niyo.
Excuse me, perhaps the change is not enough.

TINDERA : Pasensiya na kayo. Heto ho ang tamang sukli.
Sorry. Here is the correct change.

Why use yata? Because it is the polite way. Remember that politeness is an
important aspect in Filipino culture. Thus, it is not proper to accuse the seller. By
using yata (perhaps), Juan acknowledges that he might be making a mistake and
that the seller might also have given him the wrong change unintentionally.

III. The Words Bili and Halaga
When shopping, the words bili and halaga both refer to the cost of the item.
Let’s look at some examples.
EXAMPLES Magkano ang bili mo sa mangga?
:
How much did you buy the mangoes for? (literally, How much marker

buy you preposition mangoes?)
Magkano ang halaga ng mangga?

How much is the cost of the mangoes? (literally, How much marker
cost marker mango?)

Moreover, you can also choose to delete the words ang halaga and simply say:
Magkano ang mangga?

How much are the mangoes? (literally, How much marker mango?)

IV. Iyan and ’Yan