Tagalog - May | Luzvimindan Project
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Introduction
May is a word similar to mayroon in a sense that it also shows that there is something except it is mostly possessive in form thus it is mostly used to express ownership. It can be translated as there is (are) or has (have). In general, may has three kinds: a stand alone may, ay may and ang may.
May as Existential
Only absolute plural pronouns can be combined with may.
FORM : may + absolute plural pronouns
May kami. We have something.
May tayo ba? ~ Do we have something?
May kayo. ~
May sila. ~ They have something.
FORM 1 : may + thing
May pera sa mesa. ~ There's money in table.
May aso sila. ~ They have a dog.
May tao sa labas. ~ There's someone outside.May laruan ako. ~ I have a toy.
May girlfriend ka ba? ~ Do you have a girlfriend?
FORM 2 : ay may + thing
Ay may is one of the two kinds. May with the indefinite article ay which results ay may means that it simply states that there is something. Roughly, it is like the Tagalog equivalent of there is, it is, etc.
Ako ay may lobo. ~ I have a balloon.
Ako ay may daladala. I'm carrying something.
Ang mga ibon ay may tuka. ~ Birds have a beak.
Ako ay may daladala. I'm carrying something.
Ang mga ibon ay may tuka. ~ Birds have a beak.
FORM 3: ang may + thing
Ang may is one of the two kinds of may. May along side with the definite article ang which results to ang may emphasizes that there is something. Usually, it is used to ask questions since it emphasizes a thing.
Sino ang may pera? ~ Who has money?
Ang may kakayahan mag-trabaho ay dapat kumilos. ~ Those who have an ability to work should do.
Kung sino man ang may hinaing ay lumapit na dito ngayon.~ If anyone have grievances, come here now.
Ang may kakayahan mag-trabaho ay dapat kumilos. ~ Those who have an ability to work should do.
Kung sino man ang may hinaing ay lumapit na dito ngayon.~ If anyone have grievances, come here now.
Comparing ay may and ang may
1) Si Rodrigo ay may alam. ~ Rodrigo knows something.
2) Si Rodrigo ang may alam. ~ Rodrigo KNOWS it.
1) Si Isidra ay may trabaho. ~ Isidra has work.
2) Si Isidra ang may trabaho. ~ Isidra is the one working.
1) Balita ko ay may anak ka na. ~ I heard you already have a kid.
2) Si Maria ang may anak, ~ Maria is the one who have a kid.
As mentioned, ay may simply states that there is something. While ang may emphasizes that there is something and it shows that the speaker is certain about something.
Summary
- May is like mayroon.
- May also shows existence.