Tagalog pronouns are divided into three main groups based on how they function in a sentence.

Understanding these groups is essential for building basic sentences in Filipino.

You’ll use words like ako, ko, and akin every single day when speaking.

Each of these words translates to “I”, “me”, or “my” in English, but they follow entirely different grammar rules.

I’ll explain exactly how to choose the right pronoun for your sentences.

The Ang pronouns (subject focus)

The Ang pronouns are used when the pronoun is the main focus or subject of the sentence.

You’ll use these when you’re the one doing an action in a basic subject-focused sentence.

They’re also used when describing yourself or someone else with an adjective.

Here are a few examples showing how to use the Ang pronouns in a sentence.

Notice that there are two words for “you” in the singular form.

You must use ikaw when the pronoun is at the very beginning of a sentence or standing completely alone.

You’ll use ka when the pronoun appears in the middle or at the end of a sentence.

The Ng pronouns (possessive and actor)

The Ng pronouns have two main uses in Tagalog.

First, they’re used to show possession or ownership.

When placed right after a noun, they translate to “my”, “your”, or “their” in English.

Second, they act as the doer of the action in object-focused sentences.

Here are examples of Ng pronouns being used to show possession.

Here are examples of Ng pronouns acting as the doer of an object-focused verb.

The Sa pronouns (location and possession)

The Sa pronouns are slightly more versatile.

They’re used to indicate direction, location, or who something is for.

These pronouns translate to phrases like “to me”, “for him”, or “from us”.

They can also be used to show possession, but they must be placed before the noun instead of after it.

Here are examples of Sa pronouns used for direction or as beneficiaries.

Here are examples of Sa pronouns being used for possession.

Notice how akin and iyo take the -ng linker when they connect directly to the noun that follows them.

Summary table of Tagalog pronouns

Here’s a complete reference guide for all the personal pronouns in Tagalog.