Tagalog - Para | Luzvimindan Project

Introduction



Para is a loan word from Spanish that's also used in Tagalog. Like the original meaning para means for. While there are instances that it can be used as a comparative.


Para as For


FORM : para + sa + pronoun
FORM : para + kay + proper noun

Kung ayaw mo na sa akin. ~ If you don't like me anymore.
Hindi ko maisip kung wala ka sa buhay ko. ~ I cannot imagine if you were not here in my life.



Negation


FORM : kung + hindi
FORM : kung + 'di


To negate kung, add the Tagalog word hindi or its short for 'di. Sometimes, in informal situations kung 'di is contracted to kundi.

Kung hindi man tayo hanggang dulo. ~ If we're not gonna be together until the end.

Para as comparative


FORM : parang + thing
FORM : para +  absolute / ergative pronoun + ng

Para combined with a "ng" can be used as a comparative it roughly means "like". Ka instead of Ikaw will be used along with para hence "para kang" instead of "para ikaw".

Parang wala lang. ~ Like nothing.
Para siyang wala sa sarili. ~ (He's) like he's not in his self.

Double Meaning


Para also means "stop" in certain situations but that only occurs when in jeepneys.
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Summary


In general, para means for.
Para can also mean "like".
Para can also mean "stop" since it is the cue word for jeepneys.