single ka ba
The English phrase "are you single" is translated into Tagalog as single ka ba.
Meaning: familiar (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the English loanword single, the pronoun ka (you) and the question particle ba.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
single ka ba is an informal way to ask this question. To be polite or to show respect to an older person, you should use the polite form single po ba kayo?, which replaces the pronoun ka with the plural pronoun kayo and adds the particle po. In more formal contexts, you might instead use phrases like May asawa ka na ba? (Do you have a spouse already?) or Kasalukuyan ka bang may karelasyon? (Do you currently have a relationship?).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Tagalog, the question particle ba is inserted after the subject or adjective to turn a statement into a yes/no question.
Did you know?
- The word ka comes from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian, making it a linguistic relative to pronouns used in languages as far away as Madagascar.
- In the Philippines, asking single ka ba can be a common 'icebreaker' in social settings. However, it is often asked indirectly through a third party to avoid potential embarrassment.
- If you use the word single in a Tagalog sentence, you are participating in 'Taglish', a common linguistic blend of Tagalog and English.
Examples in context
- Single ka ba talaga?Are you really single?
- Single ka ba ngayon?Are you single now?
- Single ka ba o may boyfriend na?Are you single or do you have a boyfriend?
Example conversation
Angela and Juan are chatting at a party.
- AngelaHi Juan! Single ka ba?Hi Juan! Are you single?
- JuanOo, single pa ako. Bakit mo tinatanong?Yes, I am still single. Why are you asking?
- AngelaGusto sana kitang ayain lumabas.I wanted to ask you to go out.
- JuanSige, gusto ko rin yan!Sure, I would like that too!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ba, ka, CC BY-SA 4.0.
