Tagalog 101: Asking the question " Sino"- "Who" and Personal Pronouns
The Question Who- Sino, and Personal Pronouns
To ask the question “WHO” correctly familiarize yourself with the following personal pronouns:
Personal Pronouns
Singular
Ako- I
Ikaw, ka- You [ I will post a different entry regarding how “Ikaw” and “ka” are being used]
Siya- he/she
Ito- it , this [ can be for persons,objects, animals]
Plural
Tayo – we [ listener included]
Kami- we [ listener not included]
Sila- They
Kayo – You [ plural form]
Question: Sino is Who in English
Basic Tagalog questions using “Sino”
Sino ako?- Who am I?
Sino ka?/ Who are you?
Sino sila? / Who are they?
Answers:
Ako si Paul./ I am Paul.
Sila sina Paul at Mark./ They are Paul and Mark.
*check my previous entry regarding the Tagalog Grammar, usage of Si and Sina
Try to translate these:
Sino siya?
Sinu-sino kayo?/ Sino kayo ? [ already acceptable and we are using it]
Sinu-sino tayo/Sino tayo?
Sino kami?/ Sinu-sino kami?
Using “Sino” with “ ito / this , iyan/ that [ near] , and iyon/ that [ far]“
Sino ito?/ Sino ‘to? - Who’s this?
Answer: Ito si Mark./ This is Mark.
We also use this pattern , name+ ito [ Si Mark ito] . When someone ask our identity over the phone.
Example:
A: Hello! Magandang umaga! Sino ito?/ Hello! Good morning! Who’s this?
B. Hello! Magandang umaga din! Si Mark ito./ Hello! Good morning too! This is Mark.
Sino iyan ? /Sino ‘ yan ? - Who’s that?
Answer: Iyan si Mr. Reyes./ That is Mr. Reyes.
Sino iyon? / Sino ‘ yon?- Who’s that ?
[ the person is far from the speaker and listener]
Answer: Iyon ang tatay ko. / That is my father.
We tend to double the question " Sino" to "Sinu- Sino" if we are asking a question with 2 or more persons involve.
Though in English you don't repeat the word "Who".
Example:
"Sinu- sino sila?" we sometimes use this question . Nowadays we can use "Sino sila? " regardless of whatever rule is behind it.
Answer:
Sila sina Karen, Joe, at Peter.
They are Karen, Joe, and Peter.
NOTE: Professional corrections are very welcome.
